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A Qualitative Study of Parents’ Conceptualizations on Fever in Children Aged 0 to 12 Years

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  • María Gloria Villarejo-Rodríguez

    (Health Center of Bargas, 45593 Toledo, Spain
    Social and Health Care Center, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 16007 Cuenca, Spain)

  • Beatriz Rodríguez-Martín

    (Social and Health Care Center, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 16007 Cuenca, Spain
    Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Talavera de la Reina, 45600 Toledo, Spain)

Abstract

Many parents experience “fever phobia”, based on misconceptions regarding the repercussions of fever in their children. The aim of this paper was to explore the conceptualizations of parents who are health professionals and parents without health qualifications on childhood fever. This qualitative study was based on grounded theory using a triangulated sample (theoretical sampling and snowball sampling) of parents of children aged 0 to 12 years old who received care for fever in the Emergency Primary Care Services two in Spanish municipalities. Data collection was based on focus groups segmented by gender, place of residence and education. Data analysis followed the constant comparative method and involved a coding process. Results show that independently of the parents’ place of residence or education, their perceptions of fever were somewhat ambivalent, beneficial at times, but also harmful. Parents acknowledged feelings of concern, fear, being overwhelmed, freezing up and relief once the fever was controlled. Health professional parents considered they had an extra responsibility for caring. Finally, parents without health education demanded more information from professionals. These results provide key information for the design of interventions directed at the management of fever in children.

Suggested Citation

  • María Gloria Villarejo-Rodríguez & Beatriz Rodríguez-Martín, 2019. "A Qualitative Study of Parents’ Conceptualizations on Fever in Children Aged 0 to 12 Years," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-11, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:16:p:2959-:d:258361
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hennie Boeije, 2002. "A Purposeful Approach to the Constant Comparative Method in the Analysis of Qualitative Interviews," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 36(4), pages 391-409, November.
    2. Basu, Alaka Malwade & Stephenson, Rob, 2005. "Low levels of maternal education and the proximate determinants of childhood mortality: a little learning is not a dangerous thing," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(9), pages 2011-2023, May.
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