Fever management in children and attitudes towards rational drug use of poor and non-poor parents

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitudes of poor and non-poor parents towards fever management and rational drug use in children. Methods: The comparative descriptive study was conducted on 425 parents between March and September 2023. The data of the study were collected with the Socio-Demographic Characteristics Information Form, Information Form on Fever Management of Parents, Parental Fever Management Scale, and Parental Attitude Scale towards Rational Drug Use. Descriptive statistics, t test in independent groups, analysis of variance and Pearson correlation analysis were used to analyse the data. Ethics committee and institutional approval were obtained before starting the study. Results: The mean total score of the Parental Fever Management Scale was 33.81±4.48, the mean total score of the Parental Attitudes Towards Rational Drug Use Scale was 166.83±12.50, the mean score of correct and conscious use from the sub-dimensions of the Parental Attitudes Towards Rational Drug Use Scale was 128.67±13.85, and the mean score of effective and safe use was 38.16±11.36. In non-poor individuals, the mean total score of the Parental Fever Management Scale was 34.28±4.08, the mean total score of the Parental Attitudes Towards Rational Drug Use Scale was 173.27±18.42, the mean score of correct and conscious use from the sub-dimensions of the Parental Attitudes Towards Rational Drug Use Scale was 132.70±11.82, and the mean score of effective and safe use was 40.57±10.4. A statistically significant difference was found between the total score of the Parental Attitudes Towards Rational Drug Use Scale and the mean scores of correct and conscious use and effective and safe use from the subscales of the scale according to income group (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was found that the mean score of the Parental Fever Management Scale (PMMSS) was above the average and similar in poor and non-poor parents, and there was a difference between the mean scores of the total score and the mean scores of the subscales of the Parental Attitude Towards Rational Drug Use Scale with higher averages in the non-poor group. It is important to plan interventions for rational drug use in individuals with insufficient income. Keywords: Fever management, Rational drug use, Nursing, Poverty