Ali pri starših malčkov obstaja strah pred vročino?
Is there a fever phobia present in parents of young children?

slovenian

2005

volume 74, issue 9

Body Temperature Regulation   Child   Etiology   Fear   Parents   Questionnaires   Therapy

Slovensko zdravniško društvo
(Obvezni izvod spletne publikacije)

Background. Fever is one of` the most common reasons for parents to seek medical attention for their child. Parents are commonly very concerned about their childs fever and sometimes this overconcern can almost reach the level of a phobia. This is due to a widely accepted belief that fever is a disease on its own. Many parents believe that fever can cause different harmful effects to a child. The aim of this study was to determine how much Slovenian parents know about fever, whether they have any fears and anxieties when theirchild has experienced fever and to determine how they treat febrile children at home. Our main hypothesis was that in Slovenia there is a parentaloverconcern over fever in children. Methods. A questionnaire consisting of 24 questions was administered to parents who brought their childto a routine visit in two pediatric dispensaries. During October 2003 andJanuary 2004 we managed to obtain 76 filled-out questionnaires. Results. 14% of parents said they were very worried and an additional 72% were somewhatworried about potential consequences of fever. 49% believe fever can cause brain damage and 18% believe this can be caused by temperatures below 41°C. 8% of parents overdose paracetamol, 33% use an incorrect technique of sponging and 38% awaken their child at night. Conclusions. In Slovenia there also exists a fever phobia. Slovenian parents are undereducated ahout the meaning, causes end effects of fever and they often deal with their childs fever overwhelmingly and improperly.

10.04.2014