Fever in Children Under 5 years: Caregivers' Knowledge and Home Management Practices in the Northern Region of Ghana...

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Public Health
• Global Health

Background:

• Fever is a common ailment in children under five years old.
• Misconceptions regarding fever management can lead to adverse health outcomes.
• Understanding caregiver knowledge is crucial for effective public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the knowledge and home management practices of caregivers concerning fever in children under five.
• To identify specific areas of misconception in fever management among caregivers in Ghana's Northern Region.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study design was utilized.
• Data was collected from 384 caregivers using structured questionnaires.
• Statistical analysis was performed using JMP Pro 17.1.

Main Results:

• 57% of caregivers possessed good knowledge of fever, and 57.3% practiced appropriate home management.
• While 66.7% correctly defined fever, 76.8% incorrectly believed teething causes fever.
• Caregivers were likely to seek hospital care for persistent or unexplained fevers, or when additional symptoms were present.

Conclusions:

• Caregivers generally exhibit adequate knowledge and practices for fever management.
• Persistent misconceptions, especially regarding teething and medication, require targeted educational interventions.
• Improving caregiver education is essential for enhancing first-aid practices and child health outcomes.