Purpose: This exploratory study aims to improve the knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers in the face of fever in children under five years old. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out from 1 to 30 November 2022 among 36 mothers with children under five years old in the Mabulu 2 quarter, using a questionnaire is analyzed using the jamovi 2.3.28 software. Descriptive analyses, Fisher’s exact test and Spearman’s correlation (α = 0.05) were used. Results: Knowledge: 94.4% of mothers consider fever to be an illness. 66.7% believe that the best temperature sampling site is the armpit, which the first step to take is to administer medication and know that we can use a wet wrap and paracetamol. Attitudes: 55.6% go to the pharmacy; 69.4% prefer to combine the antipyretic and the antibiotic; 75% maintain that an overdose makes it possible to obtain a rapid drug effect and 97.2% are for a dose adapted to the child’s weight. Practices: 69.4% of mothers evaluate the fever by touch; 52.8% evaluate the effects of the intervention at more than 2 hours; 80.6% use the teaspoon for the dose and 66.7% use antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription. Attitudes were associated with level of education (p = 0.003) and compliance with the vaccination schedule (p = 0.035). The practices depended on the age of the mothers (p = 0.014). A positive correlation was found between knowledge, attitudes and practices (p < 0.01). Conclusion: It is useful to educate mothers in the Mabulu 2 neighborhood on fever in order to improve their knowledge, attitudes and practices when it occurs in toddlers.
Cite this paper
Tshimungu, F. K. , Kakwaka, C. K. , Atuba, P. M. , Furra, F. K. , Ilunga, J. and Mujinga, D. T. (2023). Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Mothers Concerning Fever among Children under Five Years of Age in the Mabulu 2 Quarter in Kinshasa. Open Access Library Journal, 10, e396. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1110396.
Bertille, N., Fournier-Charrière, E., Pons, G. and Chalumeau, M. (2013) Managing Fever in Children: A National Survey of Parents’ Knowledge and Practices in France. PLOS ONE, 8, e83469. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0083469
Athamneh, L., El-Mughrabi, M., Athamneh, M., Essien, E.J., Abughosh, S. and James, E. (2014) Parental Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs about Childhood Fever Management in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Applied Research on Children, 5, Article 8. http://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/childrenatrisk/vol5/iss1/8
Chiappini, E., Bortone, B., Galli, L. and de Martino, M. (2017) Guidelines for the Symptomatic Management of Fever in Children: A Systematic Literature Review and Quality Assessment with AGREE II. BMJ Open, 7, e015404.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015404
Hussain, S.M., Al-Wutayd, O., Aldosary, A.H., Al-Nafeesah, A., AlE’ed, A., Alyahya, M.S., Alfeneekh, A.S., AlKadi, S.A., Alghasham, G.A. and Aloyaidi, G.A. (2020) Knowledge, Attitude, Practice of Childhood Fever Management among Saudi Parents. Global Pediatric Health, 7. https://doi.org/10.1177/2333794X20931613
Waly, E.H. and Bakry, H.M. (2022) Evaluation of Egyptian Mothers’ Knowledge and Home Management Practices of Fever among Preschool Children in the City of Zagazig, Sharkia Governorate. Children, 9, Article 349.
https://doi.org/10.3390/children9030349
Kelly, M., Sahm, L.J., Shiley, F., O’Sullivan, R., de Bont, E.G., Gillicuddy, A.M., Herlihy, R., Daly, D., McCarthy, S., Kerdar, S.H., Himbert, C., Martin, D.D. and Jenetzky, E. (2017) Parental Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs about Fever: A Cross-Sectional Study in Ireland. BMJ Open, 7, e015684.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015684
Hervouet, C. (2021) Connaissances, croyances et habitudes des parents concernant la fièvre de l’enfant de 0 à 5 ans. Médecine humaine et pathologie. (In French) https://dumas.ccsd.cnrs.fr/dumas-03371938, 09-10-2021.
Kerdar, S.H., Himbert, C., Martin, D.D. and Jenetzky, E. (2021) Cross-Sectional Study of Parental Knowledge, Behavior and Anxiety in the Management of Pediatric Fever in German Parents. BMJ Open, 11, e054742.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054742
Al Arifi, M.N. and Alwhaibi, A. (2021) Assessing the Beliefs and Behaviors of Saudi Parents towards the Management of Childhood Fever in Saudi Arabia—A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, Article 5217. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105217