Acceptance of temporal artery thermometry by Nigerian mothers: a comparison with the traditional methods

Temporal artery thermometry may be viewed as a suitable alternative to the traditional thermometry because of its safety and time efficiency. However, it is yet to gain wide acceptance in African settings because it is relatively new. The aim of this study was to compare the choices of Nigerian mothers between the traditional methods (axillary and rectal thermometry) and the temporal artery thermometry.

Rectal, axillary and forehead temperatures were measured in 113 children using rectal and axillary mercury in glass thermometers and infrared temporal artery thermometer respectively. The thermometry method preferred by each mother and the reason(s) were documented using a semi structured questionnaire. The data was analysed using SPSS version 19.

The highest number of mothers 44(38.9%) preferred the axillary route while 42(37.2%) and 27(23.9%) preferred the temporal and rectal routes respectively. Temporal artery thermometry was the most popular among the mothers with tertiary education 27(39.7%), whereas axillary thermometry was most preferred among mothers with primary and secondary education, although this difference was not statistically significant (χ(2)=0.62,p = 0.96). Mothers 27(33.9%) who preferred rectal thermometry did so because they felt that since the thermometer is inserted inside the body, it will detect fever better.

Nigerian mothers do not have any particular thermometry preference between the temporal artery thermometry and the traditional methods, so medical personnel in our environment may resort to any method that is convenient, accurate, fast and cost effective.