Association of Maternal Education and Socioeconomic Status with the Management of Febrile Children Under 10 Years of Age in Lahore

Background: Parents frequently become anxious when dealing with febrile children. Inadequate maternal education and poor awareness can lead to improper management of febrile children which can lead to the prescription of inappropriate medication and other adversities like seizures, convulsions, brain damage, and even death.Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the association of maternal education and socioeconomic status with their knowledge, attitudes, and practice in managing febrile children under 10 years of age in Lahore.Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study held in January and February 2024 conducted amongst parents of children under 10 years of age present at CMH Lahore and The Children's Hospital Lahore.Results: Our study found 82.2% of parents considered fever to be hazardous to health. 37% defined fever at 38°C. 35.2% of the total participants gave antipyretics as their initial step to manage febrile children. 29.5% of the mothers with complete university education used digital thermometers. Fear of adverse outcomes included dehydration (14.2%), brain damage (9.3%), seizures (32.8%), death (3.6%) while 23.5% considered all of these to be caused by fever.Conclusion: Maternal education is positively associated with both the use of antipyretics and knowledge about fever. Educated Mothers are more likely to use thermometers and to alternate between different antipyretics. The fear of unfavorable outcomes is common with a belief that fever could lead to adverse effects such as dehydration, confusion, lethargy, seizures, and brain damage.