Knowledge of febrile convulsion among mothers attending the paediatric clinic of university of Uyo teaching hospital, Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Febrile convulsion is a common emergency encountered in Paediatric practice. Inadequate knowledge could result in parental anxiety, apprehension and improper home management.
Aim: To determine the knowledge, attitude of mothers, and home management of febrile convulsion in Uyo. Methods: A fourteen-itemed questionnaire bordering on knowledge, attitudes and home management of febrile convulsion was completed by mothers who brought their children to the Children’s Outpatient Clinic of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo.
Results: of the one hundred and sixty-five respondents, 154 (93.4%) were married, 162 (98.2%) were Christians and 110 (66.7%) had tertiary education. Majority (84.2%) knew that febrile convulsion occur as a result of fever, 25 (15.2%) believed that febrile convulsion is caused by evil spirit and 5(3.0%) by black magic. Significantly more mothers whose children had febrile convulsion believed that febrile convulsion is caused by evil spirit (p=0.04). Various treatments agreed by respondents include application of palm oil on the body -23(13.9%), rushing the child to the hospital -153(92.7%), insertion of spoon into the mouth–51(30.9%), instillation of onions juice into the eyes –19(11.5%), cow’s urine concoction -4(2.4%). Mothers with children with febrile convulsion preferred the application of palm oil on the body during seizure episode (p=0.03).
Conclusion: There is good knowledge of febrile convulsion among mothers attending the paediatric clinic of the university of Uyo teaching hospital. Public health education on this subject should be intensified to cater for the mothers with poor knowledge of the cause, treatment and prevention of febrile convulsion.
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