Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of parents regarding fever in children: a Danish interview study

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Date
2015-10-02
Authors
Sahm, Laura J.
Kelly, Maria
McCarthy, Suzanne
O'Sullivan, Ronan
Shiely, Frances
Rømsing, Janne
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John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Abstract
Aim: Fever and febrile illness are some of the most common conditions managed by parents. The aim of this study was to examine the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of parents around fever in children under five years of age. Methods: Between July and August 2014, a convenience sample of parents was invited to participate in this study in Copenhagen, Denmark. Results were analysed thematically using a constant comparison method. Results: Twenty-one parents participated in the study. Five themes emerged from the data: parental concern, help-seeking behaviour, parental knowledge, parent fever management practices and initiatives. Parents used a range of information sources to obtain their knowledge on management of fever; however, due to issues of trust with these sources, reassurance was often sought from healthcare practitioners. There was a desire amongst most parents for initiatives to be introduced which provide general information on how to manage fever in children. Conclusion: Parents were very concerned when their child was febrile and instigated practices obtained from accessible information sources. This study has identified a need for specific and reliable information initiatives to be introduced as a means of reducing parental concern and ensuring evidence-based strategies for managing a child with fever.
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Keywords
Attitudes , Children , Fever , Knowledge , Parents
Citation
Sahm, L.J., Kelly, M., McCarthy, S., O'Sullivan, R., Shiely, F. and Rømsing, J. (2015) Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of parents regarding fever in children: a Danish interview study. Acta Paediatrica, 105(1), pp.69-73. doi:10.1111/apa.13152
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© 2015 Foundation Acta Paediatrica. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Sahm, L.J., Kelly, M., McCarthy, S., O'Sullivan, R., Shiely, F. and Rømsing, J. (2016) Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of parents regarding fever in children: a Danish interview study. Acta Paediatrica, 105(1), pp.69-73, which has been published in final form at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/apa.13152/full. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.