Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Mothers towards Fever and Its Home Management among Under Five Children in Kom Hamada City, Behira Governorate, Egypt
Manal Mohamed Alnaser Hassona *
Ministry of Health and Population, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt.
Salwa Abd El-Mageed Atlam
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt.
Safinaz El-Said Shalaby
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Fever is one of the most common presenting complaint in pediatric age and is the cause of nearly 70% of all pediatric clinic visits. Fever isn’t a disease but a symptom of disease, so we need to do more to communicate the message to parents.
Aim: To assess knowledge, attitude and practices of mothers towards fever and its management at home among under five children and to find-out some factors influencing maternal knowledge, attitude and practices.
Subjects and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in Maternity and Child Health Care Center in Kom Hamada city, Behira Governorate. A sample of 384 mothers was included in the study. The study was done via a pre-designed questionnaire sheet filled through direct interview with target mothers to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice regarding fever management of their under five children.
Results: Most of the studied mothers had good knowledge (62%) and positive attitude (59.9%). But (39.3% and 38.8%) of them had bad and fair practice respectively. Bad practice was common in the age group 25-30, those having three or four children, urban residence and with decreased family income.
Conclusion: The results found that awareness was relatively good. The study highlights the numerous misconceptions regarding fever management. So health education of mothers is needed to improve mother’s practice.
Keywords: Mothers, fever, home management, children