Parents’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs Regarding Fever in Children: A Cross-Sectional Study In Qatar

Abstract

Background: Fever phobia remains extremely widespread which significantly affect home management and antipyretics use. We aimed to explore the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of parents in Qatar about fever in children. Methods: Survey-based, cross-sectional study including parents accompanying their children to Pediatric Emergency Center Al-Sadd; the most populated pediatric emergency centre in Qatar. The survey developed from previously validated similar studies in addition to the recent guidelines. The Surveys were collected over six months (October 2019 till March 2020). Results: Most of the participants are mothers (71.8%), and more than half of them have one or two children (57.8%). Two-third of the parents (65.8%) defined fever correctly as core temperature ≥38 °C. Eighty parents (20%) reported not having a thermometer, and they depend on touching the child by hand to determine the presence of fever. Almost all parents (95.7%) believed that under treatment of fever could cause harm, where seizure was the most commonly predicted fever’s complication (66.5%). Majority of parents (71%) believed that every child with fever needs antipyretic even if doing-well. Parents used to give antipyretics as syrups in 62.5% while 30% preferred giving both syrups and suppositories together. In addition to antipyretics administration, 48.5% use home remedies (i.e. cold sponges) while 42.5% they seek physician assistance. Conclusion: Parental knowledge of fever and its management were found to be deficient, which concur with existing literature in other regions. Clinicians should play a significant role to instruct parents with accurate information about childhood fever and its home management whenever possible.