scholarly journals Fever Among Preschool Aged Children: A Cross-Sectional Study Assessing Lebanese Parents’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Pediatric Fever Assessment and Management

Author(s):  
Fouad Sakr ◽  
Zeina Akiki ◽  
Marwan Akel ◽  
Diana Malaeb ◽  
Mariam Dabbous ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The existing literature demonstrates insufficient parental knowledge around fever, and international guidelines suggest studying parents’ perceptions and practices in treating febrile sickness. This study investigated parental knowledge, attitudes and practices toward fever in preschool children to help address all pointed gaps and provide information with the aim of supporting clinical reports for parental education. Methods A cross-sectional study design was used to explore parental experiences with fever. Participants were recruited randomly from schools all over Lebanon targeting the preschool divisions to include parents of children aged 5 years or less. An electronic self-administered questionnaire was sent to the parents through the schools’ emails and e-learning mobile applications, with a separate message encouraging parents to take time to fill carefully the survey. Results A total of 733 parents were included in the study. Only 44% identified fever correctly according to the recognized definition by international guidelines. A significant association between parents’ knowledge of antibiotics and years of parenting experience was found (ORa = 4.23, 95% CI 1.41-12.68, P=0.01). Other sociodemographic factors that were significantly associated with parents’ knowledge of antibiotics were age (ORa = 3.42, 95% CI 1.09-10.73, P=0.036) and education level (ORa = 7.99, 95% CI 3.71-17.23, P<0.001). Greater than 75% usually give their children antipyretics without consulting a doctor. Approximately one-quarter of parents (26.3%) consulted different doctors at the same time, of which more than half (58.4%) had received different medical information. Conclusions This research determines deficiencies in parents’ knowledge of fever with some malpractices in its management. It provides insight for healthcare providers to empower parental experiences by offering the necessary information to enhance general outcomes of febrile sickness.

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s342-s342
Author(s):  
Golam Dostogir Harun ◽  
Romel Haider ◽  
Imdadul Haque ◽  
Alauddin Chowdhury ◽  
Saiful Islam

Background: Antibiotics play a vital role in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with common infectious among children aged <5 years. Objective: We assessed the parental knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antibiotic use among a low-income urban population in Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the parents of 516 low-income urban children aged <5 years in Bangladesh from February 2018 to April 2019. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed and administrated to explore parental knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding antibiotic use. A logistic regression analysis and Spearman rank-order correlation was used to compare and evaluate possible associations regarding parental KAP on antibiotic use. Results: The mean age of the participants was 26.65 years (SD, 6.38) and average monthly income was US$195.00. Most respondents (437 of 516) were women. One-third of the participants had no formal education, and 64% had only 5 years of education. We categorized the knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding antibiotic use into 3 categories: poor, moderate, and good. More than half (52%) of these parents had poor knowledge of antibiotic use, and 32% had moderate knowledge of antibiotic use. Overall, 55% of parental attitudes were moderate and 70% of antibiotic practices were moderate. However, only 16% respondents had good knowledge, 14% had good attitudes, and 14% had good practices regarding antibiotic use for their children. The study revealed that 41% of parents thought that their child could be treated with antibiotics without advice from a qualified doctor, and 71% of parents thought that a child with flu-like symptoms got better faster if antibiotics were used. Also, 54% thought that the antibiotics could be stopped as soon as the symptoms disappeared. In this study, only 40% of parents completed the full dose of antibiotics. Monthly family income (P = .005), father’s profession (P = .003), and parents’ education were significantly associated with antibiotic use to treat the child. Conclusions: Most participants’ knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding rational antibiotic usage was very poor. Awareness campaigns and implementation of education on how to purchase, use, and sell antibiotics is crucial to optimum the use of antibiotics in Bangladesh.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sa'ed Zyoud ◽  
Rawan M. Shtaya ◽  
Dana Q. Hamadneh ◽  
Shyma N. Sawalmeh ◽  
Hiba A. Khadrah ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Self-therapy with various medications is a commonly practised form of children self-care among parents throughout the world, with the prevalence and pattern differing from country to country. Parental knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding self-medication of their children need to be taken into consideration because children are more sensitive to adverse consequences of medication. This study was designed to assess Palestinian parents’ KAP towards self-medication for their children. Methods A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in Palestine from October 2016 to February 2017, using a face-to-face interview questionnaire format, which was adapted from previous studies in this field. Data was collected by convenient sampling. The parents answered a questionnaire covering socio-demographic and economic variables; medication information; knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding self-medication; and the toxicity of medications used for self-therapy. Results Among the 500 respondents interviewed, the total parents of 357 (73.4%) accepted using medications as self-therapy for their children. The most common reason for using self-medication was previous experience (54.6%). The medications most often used in such self-therapy are antipyretics (95%), followed by skin creams (46%) and anti-cough and anti-influenza medication (44.2%). Parental knowledge about toxicity was found to be inadequate knowledge. For example, around 70% of parents believe that paracetamol and multivitamin are not fatal in cases of overdose. Conclusions Self-medication of children is common among parents in Palestine. There has been a high tendency for parents to self-medicate their children, in particular with antipyretics. Moreover, antibiotics have been used without prescriptions by a large proportion of parents. As such, specific guidelines for appropriate self-therapy should be established. We must encourage pharmacists to educate parents on how to self-medicate medicine in proper doses and at the correct time, as well when the dose reaches a toxic level.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Owono Etoundi ◽  
Junette Arlette Metogo Mbengono ◽  
Ferdinand Ndom Ntock ◽  
Joel Noutakdie Tochie ◽  
Dominique Christelle Anaba Ndom ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. 100184
Author(s):  
Maria de Fátima Carvalho Alves ◽  
Maria da Luz Lima Mendonça ◽  
Janice de Jesus Xavier Soares ◽  
Silvânia Leal ◽  
Menilita dos Santos ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amina M. Al Marzouqi ◽  
Michael E. Otim ◽  
Heba H. Hijazi ◽  
Leena S. Kehail ◽  
Ramsha A. Kamal

Abstract Objectives: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is a global health pandemic that continues to have an impact on many aspects of everyday life. This study investigates the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) related to COVID-19 among healthcare workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: This study uses a cross-sectional study design. The original data were collected using an online questionnaire distributed via a Google Forms link. Participants were healthcare workers currently working in the UAE healthcare facilities and recruited using snowball sampling. The questionnaire collected information on demographic variables and COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes, and practice.Results: In total, the sample of 107 healthcare workers completed the survey. About 92% of the participants worked in public institutions, 87% were from Dubai, and 673% were female. The majority were aged 31–40 years (34.6%), and 43% were radiographers. 66.4% held bachelor’s degrees and Indian nationalities were (28%) and the Philippinos were (28%). Most (90.7%) participants knew the absence of fever did not mean that the virus could not transmit from an infected person, and 84.1% agreed that wearing general medical masks prevented one from contracting COVID-19. However, only 36.4% strongly believed that wearing a well-fitting face mask was effective. In addition, only 15.9% reported confidently managing patients with symptoms of COVID-19, and 54.2% reported that they were afraid of contracting the virus from patients. Almost half of the participants avoided patients who had symptoms of COVID-19. Conclusion: Overall, healthcare workers’ COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices for healthcare workers in UAE healthcare facilities was very high. However, we found gaps in awareness regarding the spread of the pandemic. Our study recommends that providing healthcare workers with education programs and counseling services would help increase their confidence in treating patients with COVID-19.


Cureus ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah K Almofada ◽  
Reem J Alherbisch ◽  
Nouf A Almuhraj ◽  
Bander N Almeshary ◽  
Bader Alrabiah ◽  
...  

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