Knowledge of fever in children and its management among health workers in a tertiary hospital in South-east Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Fever is an adaptive response and a common symptom of diseases in children. Caregivers rely largely on the different cadre of health care workers (HCW) for the management of fever. This study sought to determine the knowledge and management of fever in children among HCWs in a tertiary health facility.

Materials and methods: Self-administered questionnaires were used for this descriptive cross-sectional study carried out over 8 weeks.

Results: A total number of 165 HCWs participated in the study with a median work experience of 8 years. One hundred and twenty- three (74.5%) had managed a febrile child, predominantly medical doctors (85.3%) and nurses (75%) (p=0.006). Almost all the HCWs (92.1%) used mercury thermometer to assess body temperature, but only 58.2% rightly placed the thermometer in the axilla for 3 to 5 minutes before reading it, (p<0.0001). Significant majority of the HCWs (93.3%) recommended antipyretics to a child they assessed to have fever, while less than half (45.5%) recommended tepid sponging. All the medical doctors recommended antipyretics but were least to recommend tepid sponging, (p<0.0001). Antipyretics were recommended at a low temperature threshold of <38.5℃, and oral acetaminophen alone (44.2%) and in combination with oral ibuprofen (44.8%) were most commonly recommended. The recommended dose of these antipyretics varied, being rightly prescribed by 66.2% (oral acetaminophen) and 35.1% (oral ibuprofen) of the HCWs.

Conclusion: The knowledge of and management of fever in children among health care providers were inconsistent in this study. A positive outcome can be achieved through regular re-training programs and focused research.