Fear of Fever and its related Factors in Mothers of Preschool Children in Tabriz, 2015.

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Despite numerous interventions still fear of fever is a common problem among parents worldwide. It seems that factors related to this fear has not been well established. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the fear of fever among parents of children and its related factors based on the theory of planned behavior. Methods: In this descriptive- correlational study that was conducted in 5 kindergartens in East Azarbayjan province the data of 218 mothers were collected by non- random method. Fever phobia scale, self- efficacy of parents regarding ferver management questionnaire, and subjective norms regarding ferver management questionnaire were used for data collection. Results: The mothers who participated in the study had a moderate level of fever fobia and the most concern was the rapid referral of the child to the doctor and severe treatment of any degree of fever. Also, these mothers had a moderate to low level of self- efficacy and moderate to high levels of social pressure in managing fever. There was no statistically significant relationship between fever phobia and self- efficacy(p= 0.85), but there was a positive and significant relationship between fever and social pressure(p= 0.001). Conclusion: The average level of fever phobia and its positive correlation with social pressure to manage fever in mothers indicates the need to develop culture- based interventions to reduce the fever phobia in mothers.