Empowering Family Caregivers Through Fever Management Education for Children with Gastroenteritis

Abstract

Background: Fever is a common manifestation of acute illness in children, including gastroenteritis, and frequently causes concern among family caregivers. Inadequate caregiver knowledge may contribute to inappropriate fever-management practices, insufficient hydration, and delayed recognition of clinical deterioration.
Objectives: This community service program aimed to improve family caregivers’ knowledge and practical skills in childhood fever management, including temperature monitoring, supportive care, tepid water sponge procedures, hydration, and recognition of danger signs.
Methods: The program involved 30 family caregivers and was implemented through assessment, education, demonstration, guided practice, return-demonstration, feedback, and post-program evaluation. Educational content included fever recognition, body-temperature measurement, hydration and dehydration, appropriate supportive care, safe tepid water sponge procedures, and indications for seeking professional healthcare. Outcomes were evaluated using pre- and post-program knowledge assessments, a practical skills checklist, and assessment of danger-sign recognition.
Results: The mean caregiver knowledge score increased from 55.3 to 86.7. The proportion of caregivers correctly demonstrating essential fever-management and tepid water sponge skills increased from 33.3% to 90.0%, while correct recognition of fever- and dehydration-related danger signs increased from 40.0% to 93.3%.
Conclusions: Structured education combining explanation, demonstration, supervised practice, return-demonstration, and feedback was associated with descriptive improvements in caregiver knowledge and practical competencies. The program may strengthen family participation in safe childhood fever management and timely healthcare seeking.