Year: 2023 | Month: October-December | Volume: 8 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 1-16
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/gijhsr.20230401
Home Management of Fever in Under-Five Children: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among Mothers Attending a Paediatric Outpatient Clinic in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Boma Awoala West1, Woroma Wonodi2, Gloria Nwosu3
1,2,3Department of Paediatrics, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria
1,2,3Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-
Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Corresponding Author: Boma Awoala West
ABSTRACT
Fever is a common problem in children especially in under-fives. Most fevers start outside the hospital thus management of fevers at home may limit complications from febrile illnesses.
This study assessed mothers’ knowledge, attitude and practice of home management of fever in under-five children.
It was a cross-sectional study and data was analyzed using SPSS version 23.
Of 219 respondents, majority were of age group 31-40 years 114(52.1%) and of middle social class 56(50.0%). Most respondents correctly defined fever 165(75.3%), knew the causes of fever 149(68.0%), and the correct site of measurement using a thermometer 114(52.1%) but did not know high body thermometer 132(60.3%). Majority knew fever could be managed at home 184(84.0%) and was harmful 207(94.5%). The commonest source of information about fever was obtained from health workers/hospitals 118(54.9%). more than half of respondents had thermometers 141(64.4%), knew how to use it 136(62.1%) and would measure their child’s temperature at home if fever was suspected 161(73.5%). Most would monitor their child’s temperature at home 191(87.2%), would manage child’s fever at home 171(78.1%), would visit the hospital because of child’s fever 204(93.2%) and would do so within 2-3 days of onset of fever 59(40.1%).
Only about a third of respondents had good knowledge (39.7%) and good practice (33.2%) on the home management of fever in children while about half (59.8%) had good attitude.
Massive enlightenment campaigns on home management of fever should therefore be carried out so as to reduce complications that could arise from unduly high temperature at home.
Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Fever, Home management