Effect of Implementing an Educational Program on Parental Knowledge and Practice About Febrile Convulsion

Abstract

Background: Febrile convulsion (FC) in under five children is a common presentation in family medicine and pediatric clinics. Lack of parental knowledge regarding FC leads to anxiety and fear and improper management.
Objective: To improve parental knowledge and practice regarding febrile convulsions through implementing health educational program.
Patients and methods: A quasi experiment, one group pre/post-test study enrolled 300 parents 21-50 years old attended two family health facilities, Menoufia Governorate, Egypt, with their children (aged from birth to six years old). Data were collected through a predesigned questionnaire that included personal and socio-economic status, family history of febrile convulsions or epilepsy, questions about parental beliefs regarding causes of febrile convulsions, knowledge about febrile convulsions and recommended and non-recommended practices for febrile convulsion. Health educational program was implemented and parent's knowledge and practice about febrile convulsions was assessed before and after  educational program.
Results: Among 300 participants aged from 21-50 years old with a mean age of 31.57 ± 6.98 years, majority of them (85%) and (62%) had unsatisfactory knowledge and appropriate knowledge about home management of FC respectively. There was a statistically significant  improvement in the perceptions of the participants regards to the causes of febrile convulsions pre- and post- intervention. There was a statistically significant improvement in the level of knowledge, practice and home management of convulsions before and after education. The mean level of knowledge and practice was statistically significantly higher after intervention.
Conclusion: There was significant improvement of parental perception, knowledge and practice regarding FC in preschool children after educational program.