Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice in Management of Childhood Fever Among Saudi Parents

• Main Authors: Shalam Mohamed Hussain PhD (Author), Osama Al-Wutayd MD, SBCM (Author), Ahmed Hamad Aldosary MD (Author), Abdullah Al-Nafeesah MD (Author), Ashwaq AlE'ed MD (Author), Modhi Saleh Alyahya MD (Author), Anfal Saleh Alfeneekh MD (Author), Sirin Ahmed AlKadi Intern (Author), Ghaida Abdulrahman Alghasham Intern (Author), Ghadah Abdulaziz Aloyaidi Intern (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: SAGE Publishing, 2020-06-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Fever is considered as a frequent symptom in childhood and is the cause of almost 65% to 70% of pediatric visits. Saudi Arabia has about 10% of child population (under 4 years of age), imposing a high burden of childhood illnesses including fever. A total of 1700 questionnaires were distributed to Saudi parents with children visiting pediatric clinic. Most of the participants were mothers (77.4%). A temperature of 38.0 °C was defined fever by 42% of participants. The majority of parents (80%) believed seizure is the consequence of untreated high fever. A total of 72.5% indicated that 40.7 to 43.20°C is the highest temperature that can be reached if untreated. There was a statistically significant relationship between mothers and fathers for overall knowledge, attitude, and practice scores. This study indicates that numerous misconceptions still persist regarding fever as more than 90% of parents demonstrated undue fear of consequent body damage from fever and also believed antibiotics can reduce high temperature.

Item Description

2333-794X
10.1177/2333794X20931613