Evaluating The Effectiveness of A Childhood Fever Awareness Program For Caregivers on Knowledge, Attitude, Practices, and Health Literacy in Primary Health Care Centers in Ha’il, Saudi Arabia

Amna Alrashidy

Abstract

Childhood fever was one of the most common symptoms prompting healthcare consultations worldwide. Although fever was recognized as a normal physiological response to infection, the literature consistently showed that caregivers frequently misinterpreted it as a dangerous condition. This study aimed to evalate the effectiveness of a structured Childhood Fever Awareness Program (CFAP) in improving caregivers’ knowledge, attitudes, practices, and health literacy related to childhood fever management, and in promoting appropriate healthcare-seeking behavior among caregivers attending Primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs) in Ha’il, Saudi Arabia. A quasi-experimental, non-randomized, two-group pretest/post-test/follow-up design with cluster allocation will be implemented. The intervention group (n = 50) will be recruited from Al-Naqrah PHCC and will participate in the CFAP, while the control group (n = 50) will be recruited from Qufar and North Airport PHCCs and will receive treatment as usual (TAU). Data will be collected at baseline (T1), immediately post-intervention (T2), and at an 8–12-week follow-up (T3). A total sample of 100 caregivers will be determined based on power analysis (α = 0.05, power = 0.80, moderate effect size), with allowance for potential attrition. Validated instruments will be used to assess knowledge, attitudes, practices, and health literacy outcomes. It is anticipated that caregivers in the intervention group will demonstrate significant improvements in knowledge, attitudes, practices, and health literacy compared to the control group, with sustained effects at follow-up. The Childhood Fever Awareness Program is expected to provide evidence supporting structured, health literacy–focused educational interventions in primary healthcare settings to improve fever management and optimize healthcare utilization.

Keywords

Childhood Fever; Caregivers; Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP); Health Literacy; Saudi Arabia

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References

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.25157/ihc.v2i1.25168

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