Caregivers' Knowledge, Concerns and Management of Pediatric Febrile Convulsions

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate caregivers' knowledge, concerns, and management of children with febrile convulsions (FC). METHODS: A descriptive correlation study was conducted with 133 caregivers whose children had been diagnosed with a FC. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way analysis of variance and Pearson's correlation were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The mean percent of correct answers related to knowledge was 48.5%. Many caregivers believed that FC causes brain damage and did not know that risk of subsequent epilepsy in FC is rare. Levels of concern about FC were high. Caregivers were highly concerned about further FC attacks in the night and tended to worry that Febrile children were apt to get a fever. Many caregivers used management practices which are not recommended for FC in children. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between caregivers' knowledge and concerns about FC. There was also a positive correlation between caregivers' knowledge and management of FC. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that improvements are needed in caregivers' knowledge and management of FC. Caregivers' concerns related to misconception need to be addressed. Development and evaluation of educational interventions on changing caregivers' management of FC are recommended.