Childhood fever education in a military population: is education enough?

PURPOSE

Parental knowledge of childhood fever and clinic and emergency room utilization were studied in a military pediatric clinic population to determine if intervention would improve parental understanding and management of childhood fever.

METHODS

Multiple choice tests evaluating childhood fever knowledge were given to control and intervention groups. Clinic and emergency room utilization were tracked for appropriateness of visits based on criteria used in previous similar studies.

RESULTS

Initial test scores showed no difference between the two groups. Subsequent test scores revealed a difference between the two groups as reflected by improved test scores. Evaluation of clinic and emergency room utilization of the groups did not show an overall improvement except in one subgroup analyzed.

CONCLUSION

Intervention improved parental knowledge; however, intervention did not translate into anticipated improvement in clinic and emergency room utilization patterns. Emphasis on education and preventative services are important in both civilian and military pediatric practice. Results of this study highlight the need to discuss and reinforce fever education as a topic in pediatric preventive health care visits.