Parental perceptions and home management of pyrexia in children in a malaria endemic area

Abstract

Fever is one of the most common symptoms of disease in children, accompanies a range of illnesses and is often treated at home before medical attention is sought. An investigation of fever management among parents of children under five was carried out to evaluate parental perception. Parents of 1143 children were randomly selected and interviewed to answer a questionnaire about fever. Majority of parents (63%) perceived fever to be hotness of the body and had no idea of the normal body temperature and so did not use a thermometer. 621 parents representing 54% irrespective of their educational qualification and age suspected malaria as the most likely cause of fever which made them act within 24 h by administering antimalarial drugs at home without medical diagnosis. Parents felt that an untreated fever could result in convulsion (16%) and even death (14%) which informed some harmful practices. The educational level of parents was statistically insignificant (p>0.05) and had no bearing on the knowledge of fever while the age of parents had a strong correlation with their perception and fever management. Based on the outcome of this study, there is a need for appropriate education to prevent the abuse of antimalarial drugs and also to stop some crude and harmful practice employed to arrest a convulsive child.

Rural–urban disparities and factors associated with delayed care-seeking and testing for malaria before medication use by mothers of under-five children, Igabi LGA, Kaduna Nigeria

“…Asides from levels of education, the distance to health facility, access to community health worker, transportation cost, presumptive self-treatment of fever, household poverty, cultural norms or household mechanism for authorization on care-seeking, large household size with five or more persons, perception of malaria as not a major health problem were factors associated with mothers delaying seeking advice or care for treatment of fever episode in U5 children within 48 h of onset [7, 10, 12-14, 19, 28]. In rural settlements, mothers are likely not to seek care for fever due to their poor exposure to formal education and health information [8]. Although, this study shows that rural mothers were likely to delay care-seeking they were more likely to receive recommended care of fever by testing blood for malaria before using anti-malarial drugs.…”

“…In Nigeria, as in other tropical countries, fever serves as a useful marker for recognition of infections in U5 children, including malaria [6,7]. Fever is a primary complaint for a third of all paediatric consultations in general practice [6,8], and an entry point for parents or mothers to seek medical attention for U5 children, including malaria diagnosis and case management [7,9,10]. The prevalence of fever in U5 children in Kaduna State, Nigeria in 2018 was 26% [3].…”

Rural-urban disparities and factors associated with delayed care-seeking and testing for malaria before medication use by mothers of under-five children, Igabi LGA, Kaduna Nigeria

“…In rural settlements, mothers are likely not to seek care for fever due to their poor exposure to formal education and health information [8]. Although, this study shows that rural mothers were likely to delay care-seeking they were more likely to receive recommended care of fever by testing blood for malaria before using antimalaria drugs.…”

Rural-Urban Disparities and Factors Associated with Delayed Care Seeking for Fever by Mothers of Under-Five Children, Lgabi LGA, Kaduna Nigeria.

“…Different factors dictate why mothers of U5 children will not seek advice for care or treatment of fever within 48 hours of onset. In rural settlements, mothers are likely not to seek care for fever due to their poor exposures to formal education and health information [8]. High proportions of rural settlements have more households with any mosquito nets for sleeping and utilization by U5 children compared with urban settlements.…”