Factors Affecting Parent's Practice Regarding the Management of Children's Fever

Background Fever is a common cause of doctor visits among children. Fever and its effects are a source of anxiety for parents. There is a discrepancy between parents' understanding and actual practice, which is influenced by a range of variables. This study aimed to assess the factors that influence parents' practices and home behaviors when their children had a fever. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 randomly selected Saudi parents attending primary healthcare centers of Taif city from February to April 2022. Data were collected using a pretested, self-designed questionnaire (α= 0.760) developed by the researcher through interviews. The questionnaire included questions on socio-demographic characteristics, five items to assess parents' knowledge, and 12 items to assess parents' evidence-based practices regarding childhood fever, level of worry and concerns, and difficulties encountered during management. Results About 43% of parents did not know the harmful degree of fever and 77% had a misbelief that fever is a harmful phenomenon. Non-evidence-based practices included the use of over-the-counter medications (in 76.6% of our sample) and unnecessary visits to health services (in more than 50%). Only 12% reported good practices. Half of the parents obtain their information about fever from doctors and 31.3% from the internet. The majority of parents reported high worry levels. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the most important significant predictors of parents' practices are level of worry, source of information, knowledge, and mothers' education level. Conclusions This study identified the gaps where parents' practices regarding fever need education. Parents reported high levels of worry about the febrile child, which, in turn, led to poor practices such as unnecessary health visits and overuse of antipyretics. The study emphasized the importance of the role of doctors as the main source of parents' information regarding fever. Hence, good informative communication between doctors and parents will decrease their worry and promote the practices of parents.