Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 5, 2026
Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil
Published on: July 29, 2020
Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of parents regarding fever in children: a Danish interview study
Laura J Sahm1,2, Maria Kelly1, Suzanne McCarthy1,3
1Pharmaceutical Care Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
Insights
Parents are concerned about childhood fever and seek reliable information for management. This study highlights the need for accessible, evidence-based resources to support parents in caring for febrile children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Parental Health
- Childhood Illnesses
Background:
- Fever and febrile illnesses are common in children under five.
- Parental management of childhood fever is a frequent concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate parental knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding fever in young children.
- To identify parental needs for information and support in managing childhood fever.
Main Methods:
- Convenience sample of 21 parents in Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Data collected between July and August 2014.
- Thematic analysis using a constant comparison method.
Main Results:
- Five key themes emerged: parental concern, help-seeking, knowledge, management practices, and initiatives.
- Parents utilize various information sources but often seek reassurance from healthcare professionals due to trust issues.
- A strong desire exists for initiatives providing general information on fever management.
Conclusions:
- Parental concern regarding fever is significant, leading to practices based on available information.
- There is a clear need for targeted, reliable information initiatives.
- Such initiatives can reduce parental anxiety and promote evidence-based fever management strategies.
Aim:
Fever and febrile illness are some of the most common conditions managed by parents. The aim of this study was to examine the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of parents around fever in children under five years of age.
Methods:
Between July and August 2014, a convenience sample of parents was invited to participate in this study in Copenhagen, Denmark. Results were analysed thematically using a constant comparison method.
Results:
Twenty-one parents participated in the study. Five themes emerged from the data: parental concern, help-seeking behaviour, parental knowledge, parent fever management practices and initiatives. Parents used a range of information sources to obtain their knowledge on management of fever; however, due to issues of trust with these sources, reassurance was often sought from healthcare practitioners. There was a desire amongst most parents for initiatives to be introduced which provide general information on how to manage fever in children.
Conclusion:
Parents were very concerned when their child was febrile and instigated practices obtained from accessible information sources. This study has identified a need for specific and reliable information initiatives to be introduced as a means of reducing parental concern and ensuring evidence-based strategies for managing a child with fever.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:22Methods of reducing fever
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
01:25Types of Fever
Here are the different types of fever:
01:28Factors Affecting Body Temperature
Factors may include:
01:26Patterns of Fever
01:27Parenting Styles
Authoritarian Parenting
This style is strict and controlling, with little room for open dialogue. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and often enforce rules with minimal warmth. Children raised this way may lack social skills and initiative, usually comparing themselves to others unfavorably.
Authoritative...
01:25Increased Body Temperature