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Vol. 13 - Num. 51

Original Papers

Knowledge and management of fever by parents

José Manuel García Pugaa, José Emilio Callejas Pozob, L Castillo Díazc, MD Hernández Morillasc, Francisco Javier Garrido Torrecillasd, T Jiménez Romeroe, Eduardo Ortega Páezf, JL Santos Pérezg, M Expósito Ruizh, S Pérez Vicentei, A Ruiz Extremeraj

aPediatra. CS Salvador Caballero. Granada. España.
bPediatra. CS La Zubia. Distrito Granada-Metropolitano. Granada. España.
cPeditra. Unidad de Gestión Clínica de La Zubia. Granada. España.
dPediatra. EBAP-UCG Churriana de la Vega. Granada. España.
ePeditra. Unidad de Gestión Clínica Salvador Caballero. Granada. España.
fPediatra. CS Maracena. Distrito Granada-Metropolitano. Granada. España.
gPeditra. Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves. Granada. España.
hTécnica de Apoyo a la Investigación de la Unidad de Investigación del Hospital Virgen de las Nieves. Granada. España.
iTécnica de Apoyo a la Investigación. Unidad de Investigación del Hospital Virgen de las Nieves. Granada. España.
jUnidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales. Hospital Clínico San Cecilio. Granada. España.

Correspondence: JM García. E-mail: jmgpuga@telefonica.net

Reference of this article: García Puga JM, Callejas Pozo JE, Castillo Díaz L, Hernández Morillas MD, Garrido Torrecillas FJ, Jiménez Romero T, et al. Knowledge and management of fever by parents. Rev Pediatr Aten Primaria. 2011;13:367-79.

Published in Internet: 11-10-2011 - Visits: 21137

Abstract

Objective: To assess parental knowledge and attitudes about fever and the influence of social and family aspects.

Methods: Questionnaires distributed to parents of children 1-5 years old in two health districts. For qualitative variables association tests with X2 test were applied, and mean differences by Student’s t-distribution or analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for quantitative variables. It was considered statistically significant the value of p < 0.05.

Results: There were 288 questionnaires analyzed. Fifty percent of respondents have 2 children, and 64.5% work. Older age and higher education levels were found in urban areas (p < 0.001). Fever was considered to be a bad thing by 50.3%, less so those with higher mean age (p < 0.05). Electronic thermometers was used in 67.7%, and 86.2% took armpit temperature considering 37.7 ºC as fever. When faced with fever, 58.3% of parents first use antipyretics. Physical measures are used in the first term by 98.2% and 49.3% think these measures lower the fever; they are used less by those parents who work (p < 0.05). Parents with higher education levels remove the clothing and give liquids more than those with primary education (p = 0.035). Most commonly used antipyretics are acetaminophen and ibuprofen; 64.6% perceived differences in efficiency; 65.4% think that ibuprofen is more effective than acetaminophen. Most parents use the dosage prescribed by the pediatrician (85.4%), and 21.5% use the dosage specified in the leaflet, especially those with higher education levels, compared to parents with primary education (p < 0.05). They sometimes alternate antipyretics (67.4%), always following the advice of their pediatrician.

Conclusions: There is an overall good knowledge and attitudes about fever.

Keywords

Acetaminophen Fever Ibuprofen Survey Treatment

 

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