Abstract

Purpose: The present study sought to determine the knowledge, attitudes and applications of fathers with children aged 0-6 years who were taken to an emergency service with complaints of high fever regarding fever management.

Methods: The target population of the study comprised fathers who applied to the Maternity and Children Diseases Hospital Pediatric Emergency Service in a province in the east of Turkey between January and September 2019. The sample of the study consisted of 196 fathers who agreed to participate in the study. The data were collected using a questionnaire in which the introductory characteristics of the fathers and the fathers’ knowledge, attitude and practices regarding fever management were questioned.

Results: Of the fathers included within the scope of the study, 47.4% were aged 20-29 years, 88.8% had bachelor’s degree and 67.3% had equal income to expense. The mean age of the children of the fathers who took part in the study was 3.28±1.50 years and the average number of children was 2.60±1.86. In the present study, the age groups did not affect the knowledge, attitudes and applications of the fathers regarding fever management (p>0.05), while their educational level and income status were effective (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The study found that educational level and income level of the fathers affected their knowledge, attitudes and applications. It is possible to recommend that fathers be included in the trainings on knowledge, attitudes, and applications regarding fever management in primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare institutions.