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Pediatría Atención Primaria
Print version ISSN 1139-7632
Abstract
GARCIA PUGA, J.M. et al. Knowledge and management of fever by parents. Rev Pediatr Aten Primaria [online]. 2011, vol.13, n.51, pp.367-379. ISSN 1139-7632. https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1139-76322011000300003.
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 37.7oC 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 : Fever; Therapy; Acetaminophen; Ibuprophen; Survey.