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[AFSSAPS 2005 recommendations have not modified the way parents take care of children's fever]
C Sellier-Joliot1, P Di Patrizio1, L Minary2
1Département de médecine générale, faculté de médecine de Nancy, université de Lorraine, 9, avenue de la forêt de Haye, 54505 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
Insights
Despite updated guidelines, parental knowledge and practices regarding childhood fever remain suboptimal. Simple, clear communication is needed to improve fever management and reduce ineffective practices.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Health Communication
Context:
- Childhood fever is a common concern for parents, necessitating effective home care and informed medical consultations.
- The French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (AFSSAPS) updated its recommendations in 2005 to improve parental management of fever.
- Parental knowledge and practices significantly influence the efficacy of fever management in children.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the impact of the 2005 AFSSAPS fever management guidelines on parental knowledge and behavior.
- To compare parental understanding and practices related to childhood fever in 2006 and 2012.
- To identify persistent misconceptions and ineffective practices in childhood fever care.
Summary:
- A survey of parents in Metz, France, assessed knowledge and practices regarding childhood fever in 2006 and 2012.
- Results showed no significant improvement in understanding fever thresholds or reasons for medical consultation.
- Predominant physical care methods and reliance on ibuprofen persisted, with inconsistent medication administration noted.
Impact:
- The 2005 guidelines have not effectively changed parental practices or eradicated ingrained beliefs about fever management.
- A simplified, targeted communication campaign is recommended to enhance public understanding and assimilation of fever care messages.
- Standardization of medical practices is crucial for consistent and effective childhood fever management.
Introduction:
Fever in children is frequent. Often mild, initial care is the parents' responsibility: medicinal treatments and medical consultations. Unfortunately, the efficiency of parental care is poor. Therefore, in 2005 the AFSSAPS updated its recommendations. One and 6 years after publication of the guidelines, this study rates their impact by describing and comparing parents' knowledge and behavior when faced with fever in their children.
Material And Methods:
This survey was conducted in families whose children were attending preschool in and near Metz (France) in 2006 and 2012. The same questionnaire was given to assess the knowledge, care, and symptoms of serious fever. The results were processed based on the number of children in the family and the family's socioeconomic category.
Results:
In 2006, 1038 questionnaires were distributed and 1273 in 2012. The fever threshold was not better known in 2012. Bathing and uncovering children remained the predominant physical methods used. Treatment was based on the use of ibuprofen and alternating treatments. However, the conditions of administering medication were well known to parents. The causes and motives for consultation were not better understood in 2012 however. The main source of information was physicians.
Discussion:
The message disseminated since 2005 has not been efficient. Its complexity has not eradicated old beliefs and inappropriate parental practices. A campaign based on a brief, simple message has to be organized, providing better chances of being assimilated by the public. Medical practices should be standardized.