Research Article
BibTex RIS Cite

0-6-Year-Old Children Mothers’ Attitudes and Experiences Regarding Fever: A Qualitative Study

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 386 - 395, 07.08.2025

Özlem Selime Merter , Zeynep Kisecik Şengül , Hava Salik

https://doi.org/10.46413/boneyusbad.1518758

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to deeply examine the knowledge and experiences of mothers with 0-6-year-old children regarding fever.
Material and Method: A phenomenological design, one of the qualitative research methods, was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 mothers of 0-6-year-old children across eastern Türkiye. The interviews were conducted online and audio recorded. Content analysis was performed using the MAXQDA 2022 software package. The study was written based on the COREQ checklist.
Results: The study identified 3 main themes (mothers' experiences, practices related to fever monitoring, practices to reduce fever) and 8 sub-themes (mothers' emotions, understanding symptoms of fever, sources of information on fever intervention, fever measurement methods, frequency of fever measurement, fever measurement sites, medical practices, traditional practices).
Conclusion: The results indicate that mothers possess incorrect attitudes and practices regarding fever. It is recommended to provide education to mothers on fever and its management.

Keywords

Mother Child Fever Phenomenology Qualitative

References

  • Anokye, R., Amihere, R., Abbiaw, P., Acheampong, E., Gyamfi, N., Budu-Ainooson, A. (2018). Childhood fever knowledge and management: a case of mothers with children under five years. International Journal of Pediatric Research, 4(2), 1-7. doi: 10.23937/2469-5769/1510044.
  • Aydın, C., & Bayhan, G. İ. (2024). Comparison of Frequently Used Fever Measurement Methods: Which One is the Best?. Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, 19(06), 334-338.
  • Babiker, E. A. A., Ibrahim, R. I. N., Haj, F. A. A., Magbol, M., Nour, I. M., & Elyas, I. (2024). Self-Use of Aspirin Among Mothers in Management of Fever in Children Khartoum, Sudan 2022. Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, 8(1), 1-12.
  • Badawy, N. A. K., Alhajraf, A. F., Alsamdan, M. F. (2017). Kuwaiti parent's knowledge of their children's fever and their patterns of use of over the counter antipyretics. Australasian Medical Journal (Online), 10(10), 848-855.doi: 10.21767/AMJ.2017.2864.
  • Barbi, E., Marzuillo, P., Neri, E., Naviglio, S., Krauss, B. S. (2017). Fever in children: pearls and pitfalls. Children, 4(9), 81. doi:10.3390/children4090081.
  • Boran, S., Kahriman, İ. (2023). Evaluation of fever-related knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers of children with chronic diseases: a descriptive study. Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences, 7(1), 223-234. doi: 10.30621/jbachs.1090169.
  • Büyüköztürk, Ş., Kılıç Çakmak, E., Akgün, Ö. E., Karadeniz, Ş., & Demirel, F. (2014). Bilimsel araştırma yöntemleri. Pegem Akademi.
  • Chang, L. C., Liu, C. C., Huang, M. C. (2013). Parental knowledge, concerns, and management of childhood fever in Taiwan. Journal of Nursing Research, 21(4), 252-260. doi: 10.1097/jnr.0000000000000007.
  • de Bont, E. G., Loonen, N., Hendrix, D. A., Lepot, J. M., Dinant, G. J., Cals, J. W. (2015). Childhood fever: a qualitative study on parents’ expectations and experiences during general practice out-of-hours care consultations. BMC Family Practice, 16, 1-9. doi: 10.1186/s12875-015-0348-0.
  • Duthie, L., Begley, R. (2021). Febrile convulsions. Paediatrics and Child Health, 31(11), 415-418. doi: 10.1016/j.paed.2021.08.003.
  • Erkek, N., Senel, S., Sahin, M., Ozgur, O., Karacan, C. (2010). Parents' perspectives to childhood fever: comparison of culturally diverse populations. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 46(10), 583-587. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2010.01795.x.
  • Gulcan, M. K., Sahiner, N. C. (2023). Determining the fever-related knowledge and practices of mothers with children aged 1–5 years presenting to a child emergency service with fever complaints in Turkiye. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 69, e13-e20. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2022.11.024.
  • Hew, Y. H., Blebil, A. Q., Dujaili, J. A., & Khan, T. M. (2019). Assessment of knowledge and practices of parents regarding childhood fever management in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Drugs & Therapy Perspectives, 35, 29-35. doi: 10.1007/s40267-018-0564-5.
  • Hussain, S. M., Al-Wutayd, O., Aldosary, A. H., Al-Nafeesah, A., AlE’ed, A., Alyahya, M. S., ... Aloyaidi, G. A. (2020). Knowledge, attitude, and practice in management of childhood fever among Saudi parents. Global Pediatric Health, 7, 2333794X20931613. doi: 10.1177/2333794X20931613.
  • Katz-Sidlow, R. J., Rowberry, J. P., Ho, M. (2009). Fever determination in young infants: prevalence and accuracy of parental palpation. Pediatric Emergency Care, 25(1), 12-14. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0b013e31819dac6.
  • Kuijpers, D. L., Peeters, D., Boom, N. C., van de Maat, J., Oostenbrink, R., Driessen, G. J. (2021). Parental assessment of disease severity in febrile children under 5 years of age: a qualitative study. BMJ Open, 11(3), e042609. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042609.
  • Marshall, C., & Rossman, G. B. (2014). Designing qualitative research. New York: Sage.
  • Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook. California: Sage Publications.
  • Morris, E., Glogowska, M., Ismail, F. A., Edwards, G., Fleming, S., Wang, K., ... Hayward, G. (2021). Parents’ concerns and beliefs about temperature measurement in children: a qualitative study. BMC Family Practice, 22, 1-9. doi: 10.1186/s12875-020-01355-y.
  • Pitoli, P. J., Duarte, B. K., Fragoso, A. A., Damaceno, D. G., Marin, M. J. S. (2021). Fever in children: parents’ search for urgent and emergency services. Ciência & Saúde Coletiva, 26, 445-454. doi: 10.1590/1413-81232021262.40782020.
  • Ravanipour, M., Akaberian, S., Hatami, G. (2014). Mothers’ perceptions of fever in children. Journal of Education Health Promotion, 3(1), 97. doi: 10.4103%2F2277-9531.139679.
  • Sahm, L. J., Kelly, M., McCarthy, S., O'Sullivan, R., Shiely, F., Rømsing, J. (2016). Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of parents regarding fever in children: a Danish interview study. Acta Paediatrica, 105(1), 69-73. doi.10.1111/apa.13152.
  • Sezici, E. (2019). Annelerin hastanede yatan çocuklarında ateş deneyimleri: niteliksel bir çalışma. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Fakültesi Elektronik Dergisi, 12(1), 40-45.
  • Suluhan, D., Taşal, C., Yıldız, D., Fidancı, B. E., Konukbay, D., Sürer, İ., Gök, F. (2016). Determine the knowledge and attitudes of mothers, who have children aged 0-6 years, about antipyretic drug usage. Florence Nightingale Journal of Nursing, 24(2), 90-96.
  • Sengul, Z. K., Salik, H., Başaran, F., Duru, P. (2023). Intergenerational exploration of traditional practices affecting child health: A phenomenological study. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 73, e461-e468. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2023.10.016.
  • Thompson, A. P., Nesari, M., Hartling, L., Scott, S. D. (2020). Parents’ experiences and information needs related to childhood fever: a systematic review. Patient Education and Counseling, 103(4), 750-763. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2019.10.004.
  • Thota, S., Ladiwala, N., Sharma, P. K., Ganguly, E. (2018). Fever awareness, management practices and their correlates among parents of under five children in urban India. International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics, 5(4), 1368. doi: 0.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20182525.
  • Toksöz, F., & Açıkgöz, A. (2022). Güncel bilgiler doğrultusunda 0-5 yaş grubu ateşli çocuğa yaklaşım: Geleneksel derleme. Anatolian Journal of Health Research, 3(2), 100-103.
  • Tong, A., Sainsbury, P., Craig, J. (2007). Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 19(6), 349-357.
  • Westin, E., Levander, M. S. (2018). Parent's experiences of their children suffering febrile seizures. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 38, 68-73. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2017.11.001.
  • Xu, J., Wang, X., Sun, K. S., Lin, L., & Zhou, X. (2020). Parental self-medication with antibiotics for children promotes antibiotic over-prescribing in clinical settings in China. Antimicrobial Resistance Infection Control, 9, 1-8. doi: 10.1186/s13756-020-00811-9.
  • Zyoud, S. E. H., Al-Jabi, S. W., Sweileh, W. M., Nabulsi, M. M., Tubaila, M. F., Awang, R., Sawalha, A. F. (2013). Beliefs and practices regarding childhood fever among parents: a cross-sectional study from Palestine. BMC Pediatrics, 13, 1-8. doi: 10.1186/1471-2431-13-66.

0-6 Yaş Çocuk Annelerinin Ateşe Yönelik Tutumları ve Deneyimleri: Nitel Bir Araştırma

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 386 - 395, 07.08.2025

Özlem Selime Merter , Zeynep Kisecik Şengül , Hava Salik

https://doi.org/10.46413/boneyusbad.1518758

Abstract

Amaç: Bu araştırmada 0- 6 yaş çocuğu olan annelerin ateşle ilgili bilgi ve deneyimlerinin derinlemesine incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır.
Gereç ve Yöntem: Nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden fenomenolojik desen kullanılmıştır. Çalışmada Türkiye’nin doğusunda 0-6 yaş çocuğu olan 11 anne ile yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme yapılmıştır. Görüşmeler online olarak yapılmış ve ses kaydı alınmıştır. MAXQDA 2022 paket programı aracılığı ile içerik analizi yapılmıştır. Çalışma COREQ kontrol listesi esas alınarak yazılmıştır.
Bulgular: Araştırmada 3 tema (annenin yaşadığı deneyimler, ateşin takibi ile ilgili uygulamalar, ateşi düşürmeye yönelik uygulamalar) " ve 8 alt tema (annenin yaşadığı duygular, ateşin belirtilerini anlama, ateşe müdahale konusundaki bilgi kaynakları, ateş ölçme yöntemi, ateş ölçme sıklığı, ateş ölçüm noktası, tıbbi uygulamalar, geleneksel uygulamalar) belirlenmiştir.
Sonuç: Sonuçlar, annelerin ateş ile ilgili yanlış tutumlara ve uygulamalara sahip olduklarını ortaya koymaktadır.

Keywords

Anne Çocuk Ateş Fenomenoloji Nitel

References

  • Anokye, R., Amihere, R., Abbiaw, P., Acheampong, E., Gyamfi, N., Budu-Ainooson, A. (2018). Childhood fever knowledge and management: a case of mothers with children under five years. International Journal of Pediatric Research, 4(2), 1-7. doi: 10.23937/2469-5769/1510044.
  • Aydın, C., & Bayhan, G. İ. (2024). Comparison of Frequently Used Fever Measurement Methods: Which One is the Best?. Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, 19(06), 334-338.
  • Babiker, E. A. A., Ibrahim, R. I. N., Haj, F. A. A., Magbol, M., Nour, I. M., & Elyas, I. (2024). Self-Use of Aspirin Among Mothers in Management of Fever in Children Khartoum, Sudan 2022. Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, 8(1), 1-12.
  • Badawy, N. A. K., Alhajraf, A. F., Alsamdan, M. F. (2017). Kuwaiti parent's knowledge of their children's fever and their patterns of use of over the counter antipyretics. Australasian Medical Journal (Online), 10(10), 848-855.doi: 10.21767/AMJ.2017.2864.
  • Barbi, E., Marzuillo, P., Neri, E., Naviglio, S., Krauss, B. S. (2017). Fever in children: pearls and pitfalls. Children, 4(9), 81. doi:10.3390/children4090081.
  • Boran, S., Kahriman, İ. (2023). Evaluation of fever-related knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers of children with chronic diseases: a descriptive study. Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences, 7(1), 223-234. doi: 10.30621/jbachs.1090169.
  • Büyüköztürk, Ş., Kılıç Çakmak, E., Akgün, Ö. E., Karadeniz, Ş., & Demirel, F. (2014). Bilimsel araştırma yöntemleri. Pegem Akademi.
  • Chang, L. C., Liu, C. C., Huang, M. C. (2013). Parental knowledge, concerns, and management of childhood fever in Taiwan. Journal of Nursing Research, 21(4), 252-260. doi: 10.1097/jnr.0000000000000007.
  • de Bont, E. G., Loonen, N., Hendrix, D. A., Lepot, J. M., Dinant, G. J., Cals, J. W. (2015). Childhood fever: a qualitative study on parents’ expectations and experiences during general practice out-of-hours care consultations. BMC Family Practice, 16, 1-9. doi: 10.1186/s12875-015-0348-0.
  • Duthie, L., Begley, R. (2021). Febrile convulsions. Paediatrics and Child Health, 31(11), 415-418. doi: 10.1016/j.paed.2021.08.003.
  • Erkek, N., Senel, S., Sahin, M., Ozgur, O., Karacan, C. (2010). Parents' perspectives to childhood fever: comparison of culturally diverse populations. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 46(10), 583-587. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2010.01795.x.
  • Gulcan, M. K., Sahiner, N. C. (2023). Determining the fever-related knowledge and practices of mothers with children aged 1–5 years presenting to a child emergency service with fever complaints in Turkiye. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 69, e13-e20. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2022.11.024.
  • Hew, Y. H., Blebil, A. Q., Dujaili, J. A., & Khan, T. M. (2019). Assessment of knowledge and practices of parents regarding childhood fever management in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Drugs & Therapy Perspectives, 35, 29-35. doi: 10.1007/s40267-018-0564-5.
  • Hussain, S. M., Al-Wutayd, O., Aldosary, A. H., Al-Nafeesah, A., AlE’ed, A., Alyahya, M. S., ... Aloyaidi, G. A. (2020). Knowledge, attitude, and practice in management of childhood fever among Saudi parents. Global Pediatric Health, 7, 2333794X20931613. doi: 10.1177/2333794X20931613.
  • Katz-Sidlow, R. J., Rowberry, J. P., Ho, M. (2009). Fever determination in young infants: prevalence and accuracy of parental palpation. Pediatric Emergency Care, 25(1), 12-14. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0b013e31819dac6.
  • Kuijpers, D. L., Peeters, D., Boom, N. C., van de Maat, J., Oostenbrink, R., Driessen, G. J. (2021). Parental assessment of disease severity in febrile children under 5 years of age: a qualitative study. BMJ Open, 11(3), e042609. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042609.
  • Marshall, C., & Rossman, G. B. (2014). Designing qualitative research. New York: Sage.
  • Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook. California: Sage Publications.
  • Morris, E., Glogowska, M., Ismail, F. A., Edwards, G., Fleming, S., Wang, K., ... Hayward, G. (2021). Parents’ concerns and beliefs about temperature measurement in children: a qualitative study. BMC Family Practice, 22, 1-9. doi: 10.1186/s12875-020-01355-y.
  • Pitoli, P. J., Duarte, B. K., Fragoso, A. A., Damaceno, D. G., Marin, M. J. S. (2021). Fever in children: parents’ search for urgent and emergency services. Ciência & Saúde Coletiva, 26, 445-454. doi: 10.1590/1413-81232021262.40782020.
  • Ravanipour, M., Akaberian, S., Hatami, G. (2014). Mothers’ perceptions of fever in children. Journal of Education Health Promotion, 3(1), 97. doi: 10.4103%2F2277-9531.139679.
  • Sahm, L. J., Kelly, M., McCarthy, S., O'Sullivan, R., Shiely, F., Rømsing, J. (2016). Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of parents regarding fever in children: a Danish interview study. Acta Paediatrica, 105(1), 69-73. doi.10.1111/apa.13152.
  • Sezici, E. (2019). Annelerin hastanede yatan çocuklarında ateş deneyimleri: niteliksel bir çalışma. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Fakültesi Elektronik Dergisi, 12(1), 40-45.
  • Suluhan, D., Taşal, C., Yıldız, D., Fidancı, B. E., Konukbay, D., Sürer, İ., Gök, F. (2016). Determine the knowledge and attitudes of mothers, who have children aged 0-6 years, about antipyretic drug usage. Florence Nightingale Journal of Nursing, 24(2), 90-96.
  • Sengul, Z. K., Salik, H., Başaran, F., Duru, P. (2023). Intergenerational exploration of traditional practices affecting child health: A phenomenological study. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 73, e461-e468. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2023.10.016.
  • Thompson, A. P., Nesari, M., Hartling, L., Scott, S. D. (2020). Parents’ experiences and information needs related to childhood fever: a systematic review. Patient Education and Counseling, 103(4), 750-763. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2019.10.004.
  • Thota, S., Ladiwala, N., Sharma, P. K., Ganguly, E. (2018). Fever awareness, management practices and their correlates among parents of under five children in urban India. International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics, 5(4), 1368. doi: 0.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20182525.
  • Toksöz, F., & Açıkgöz, A. (2022). Güncel bilgiler doğrultusunda 0-5 yaş grubu ateşli çocuğa yaklaşım: Geleneksel derleme. Anatolian Journal of Health Research, 3(2), 100-103.
  • Tong, A., Sainsbury, P., Craig, J. (2007). Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 19(6), 349-357.
  • Westin, E., Levander, M. S. (2018). Parent's experiences of their children suffering febrile seizures. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 38, 68-73. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2017.11.001.
  • Xu, J., Wang, X., Sun, K. S., Lin, L., & Zhou, X. (2020). Parental self-medication with antibiotics for children promotes antibiotic over-prescribing in clinical settings in China. Antimicrobial Resistance Infection Control, 9, 1-8. doi: 10.1186/s13756-020-00811-9.
  • Zyoud, S. E. H., Al-Jabi, S. W., Sweileh, W. M., Nabulsi, M. M., Tubaila, M. F., Awang, R., Sawalha, A. F. (2013). Beliefs and practices regarding childhood fever among parents: a cross-sectional study from Palestine. BMC Pediatrics, 13, 1-8. doi: 10.1186/1471-2431-13-66.
There are 32 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Pediatric Health and Illnesses Nursing
Journal Section RESEARCH ARTICLES
Authors

Özlem Selime Merter 0000-0001-7892-1342

Zeynep Kisecik Şengül 0000-0001-7471-9606

Hava Salik 0009-0009-5928-0389

Early Pub Date August 6, 2025
Publication Date August 7, 2025
Submission Date July 19, 2024
Acceptance Date February 19, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 7 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Merter, Ö. S., Kisecik Şengül, Z., & Salik, H. (2025). 0-6-Year-Old Children Mothers’ Attitudes and Experiences Regarding Fever: A Qualitative Study. Bandırma Onyedi Eylül Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Ve Araştırmaları Dergisi, 7(2), 386-395. https://doi.org/10.46413/boneyusbad.1518758
AMA Merter ÖS, Kisecik Şengül Z, Salik H. 0-6-Year-Old Children Mothers’ Attitudes and Experiences Regarding Fever: A Qualitative Study. Bandırma Onyedi Eylül Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri ve Araştırmaları Dergisi. August 2025;7(2):386-395. doi:10.46413/boneyusbad.1518758
Chicago Merter, Özlem Selime, Zeynep Kisecik Şengül, and Hava Salik. “0-6-Year-Old Children Mothers’ Attitudes and Experiences Regarding Fever: A Qualitative Study”. Bandırma Onyedi Eylül Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Ve Araştırmaları Dergisi 7, no. 2 (August 2025): 386-95. https://doi.org/10.46413/boneyusbad.1518758.
EndNote Merter ÖS, Kisecik Şengül Z, Salik H (August 1, 2025) 0-6-Year-Old Children Mothers’ Attitudes and Experiences Regarding Fever: A Qualitative Study. Bandırma Onyedi Eylül Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri ve Araştırmaları Dergisi 7 2 386–395.
IEEE Ö. S. Merter, Z. Kisecik Şengül, and H. Salik, “0-6-Year-Old Children Mothers’ Attitudes and Experiences Regarding Fever: A Qualitative Study”, Bandırma Onyedi Eylül Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri ve Araştırmaları Dergisi, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 386–395, 2025, doi: 10.46413/boneyusbad.1518758.
ISNAD Merter, Özlem Selime et al. “0-6-Year-Old Children Mothers’ Attitudes and Experiences Regarding Fever: A Qualitative Study”. Bandırma Onyedi Eylül Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri ve Araştırmaları Dergisi 7/2 (August 2025), 386-395. https://doi.org/10.46413/boneyusbad.1518758.
JAMA Merter ÖS, Kisecik Şengül Z, Salik H. 0-6-Year-Old Children Mothers’ Attitudes and Experiences Regarding Fever: A Qualitative Study. Bandırma Onyedi Eylül Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri ve Araştırmaları Dergisi. 2025;7:386–395.
MLA Merter, Özlem Selime et al. “0-6-Year-Old Children Mothers’ Attitudes and Experiences Regarding Fever: A Qualitative Study”. Bandırma Onyedi Eylül Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Ve Araştırmaları Dergisi, vol. 7, no. 2, 2025, pp. 386-95, doi:10.46413/boneyusbad.1518758.
Vancouver Merter ÖS, Kisecik Şengül Z, Salik H. 0-6-Year-Old Children Mothers’ Attitudes and Experiences Regarding Fever: A Qualitative Study. Bandırma Onyedi Eylül Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri ve Araştırmaları Dergisi. 2025;7(2):386-95.
 Download Cover Image

23788 Bandırma Onyedi Eylül Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri ve Araştırmaları Dergisi Creative Commons Atıf-GayriTicari 4.0 Uluslararası Lisansı ile lisanslanmıştır.