Fever is one of the most common occurring signs of illness during childhood. When a child has fever all family members panic and want their child to get well as soon as possible. To reduce fever the approach of mothers differs according to their level of education and understanding. The anxiety and panic defined as fear fever may sometimes cause mothers to use healthcare centres unnecessarily as well as imprudent treatments.(1-5, 7). 

Further more every child has a fever of 37.8 – 40c at least once during childhood.(1-4)

Mothers may sometimes use antifebrile drugs even at normal body temperature apply cold water or water with alcohol or vinegars to decrease the temperature all these treatments are unnecessary and may effect child’s health status. (1,2,4,8,9)

The study assessed the enrolled mothers knowledge about fever in their children who come to hospital for treatment and investigated the factors that influenced. Their behaviors, decisions and fear about treating fever

Interviews were conducted with 100 mothers who came to hospital for treatment of fever. The questions used to examine the socioeconomic level of the mother level of education, occupation and family monthly income and score interpretation by using standard Kuppy Swamy Scale.

 The study questionaries included 10 questions assessing the mother knowledge of fever, the locations of temperature measurement measuring tool. Body temperature considered as fever location of peripheral cooling application first response to high fever, uncontrolled fever, drug used, criteria used for dose adjustment. The answers obtained determined the level of knowledge about fever on a scale of (Table -2) low (0-3 points) moderate (4-6 points) and high (7-10 points) (1) Face to face interviews with mother were taken in this study. Mother were informed about the purpose and mother of the study.

Demographic characteristics based on the data obtained from the study show table – 2. Age distributation among mothers was as follows 59% were 18-25 years of age and yongers, 85% were 26-40 years of age and mothers were housewives and 8% were working mothers and also 14% were illiterate, 21 % were able to read and write and 53% had primary education and 12% had secondary education 35% of mothers had 1 or 2 childre 497% of mothers had 3 or 4 children and 18% of mother has more children. As for tyle of family 50% nuclear and 50% Joint family. As for house size, 60% of family has 1-2 rooms, 6% of families had 3-4 rooms and 2% has 5 or more rooms according to their responses.

As for the location of taking the temperature 50% of mothers used their child’s armpit, 26% used oral route, 05 reaction and ears and 14% did not know and 10% used incorrectly. Tool used for measurement by mothers were as followed 16% used digital thermometer, 4% used mercury thermometers, 20% did not know and 60% used manual measuring method with their hands. 70% did not know the normal body temperature 15% used it incorrectly and 15% know that above 37c – 38c as fever. The first response observed by mothers to high fever – 20% take off their children clothes 40% went for peripheral cooling method 30% use antifebrile drugs, 2% consulted physicians, 3% used antibiotics, 5% did not know what to do. 15% of women applied wet cloth on Head for pherpheral cooling, 30% applied on armpit, 10% on trunk, 20% of mothers on entire. body, 5% did not know and 20% applied incorrectly reused the childs hands and face with cold water. The method used by mother for peripheral cooling dressing with warm water 10%, shower 20%, cold water – 20%, did not know 20% mothers.

The response of mother to uncontrolled fever were 9% consulted physicians 3% waited and 7% prayed. Antifebrile drugs used by mothers were paracetamol forms of syrup used by 81% in form of suppository 1%.

Syrup Ibuprofen was used by 13% of mothers, while 2% of mothers showed no preference for any specific treatment. Regarding the consideration given to the dose of antipyretic drugs, 40% of mothers did not consider the dosage, whereas 60% did. Mothers adjusted the dose of antipyretic drugs based on different parameters:

• 8% adjusted the dose according to the height of the fever,
• 10% adjusted according to weight,
• 20% administered the dose prescribed by a physician,
• 5% adjusted based on the child’s

Regarding febrile convulsions, 5% of mothers reported an association between fever and seizures, while 95% stated that their children had no history of febrile convulsions. When asked about symptoms associated with febrile convulsions:

• 30% of mothers mentioned the involvement of the eyes,
• 32% mentioned tremors and contractions,
• 60% reported consciousness disorders or loss,
• 10% noted cyanosis,
• 20% reported difficulty in breathing,
• 1% observed yelling and screaming,
• 2% noted cold hands,
• 1% mentioned hallucinations,
• 1% observed vomiting, and
• 2% reported urinary

Approximately 82% of mothers took their child to the emergency department when the child had a febrile seizure. About 13% administered antipyretic drugs during such episodes, while 5% of mothers did not know what to do.

A statistically significant correlation was observed between the level of knowledge about fever and the socioeconomic level of the mothers (P < 0.01). Mothers with lower socioeconomic levels had a significantly lower level of knowledge about fever. The level of knowledge improved with an increase in socioeconomic level.

There was a highly significant relationship between mothers’ knowledge about fever and their age and education level (P < 0.01). Knowledge increased with higher levels of education and advancing maternal age.

Awareness of body temperature measurement tools also showed a statistically significant difference based on the mothers’ age (P < 0.01). Correct usage of body temperature measurement tools showed a significant difference based on the number of children the mothers had (P < 0.01). The description of febrile convulsions was more accurate among mothers whose children had a history of convulsions (P < 0.05).

When asked about the causes of febrile illness:

• 40% predicted viral infections,
• 10% predicted lower respiratory tract infections,
• 25% mentioned tonsillitis,
• 5% cited ear infections,
• 3% noted teething,
• 4% suspected pharyngitis,
• 3% mentioned diarrhea,
• 5% did not know the

Regarding the consequences of fever, 70% of mothers replied they did not know, 20% mentioned convulsions, and 10% cited meningitis.

TABLE – 1 EDUCATION OF HEAD OF THE FAMILY

TABLE – 2 SCORING METHOD TO DETERMINE KNOWLEDGE LEVEL ON FEVER

Questions                                     0 Point                                           1 Point

Table -3 DISTRIBUTION OF DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS

Knowledge about fever is insufficient among families, even though fever is a common occurrence during childhood. Many studies corroborate this finding1 (10–12). It is essential to expand knowledge about fever, including its definition, measurement methods, and the fact that fever is not always harmful. Mothers should also be educated about the appropriate use of antipyretic drugs and their correct dosages.

In their study, Tastenetail(13) found that 28% of mothers used a thermometer, compared to 72% in the study by Baysoy et al.(14), 73% in Kurugol et al. (15), and 15% in Parmar et al. (16). In our study, 20% of mothers reported using a thermometer. Baysoy et al. (14) also observed a correlation between the use of thermometers and the number of children the mother had. Similarly, the study conducted by Gunther Arica et al.(1) reported that 50.1% of mothers used thermometers.

Baysoy et al.(14) found that the armpit was the most preferred location for measuring body temperature (89%), while Sigmata et al.(17) reported that the rectal area was the most preferred location (82%). In our study, measuring temperature from the armpit was the most common method (50%). In the study by Gunther Arica et al.(1), 91.2% of mothers preferred the armpit for temperature measurement.

Many studies have shown that the first method used in response to fever is administering antipyretic drugs(1,18-20). Gunther Arica et al. found that 34.2% of mothers used warm water for peripheral cooling, which was considered positive behavior. In our study, 40% of mothers used warm water, and 20% used cold water for this purpose.

In the study conducted by Kabakus et al.,(22) 48% of mothers administered antibiotics to treat fever without consulting a physician.

In Gunther Arica et al.’s study, this percentage was 3.3%, and in our study, 3% of mothers used antibiotics without consulting a physician. Approximately 90% of mothers in our study stated they would consult a physician in case of uncontrolled fever. Similarly, Gunther Arica et al. reported 95.8% of mothers would consult a physician under similar circumstances.

In our study, 5% of children had a history of febrile convulsions. Most mothers whose children experienced febrile seizures sought emergency department care.

The findings indicate that mothers’ knowledge about fever is inadequate, similar to the results of studies like that conducted by Gunther Arica et al(1). Mothers should be educated about the management of febrile children. Educational activities in healthcare institutions, audio-visual media, and proper counseling can contribute significantly to developing a healthier generation.

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