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Symptoms of Illness in Children:
- Children may display various signs of illness, such as fever, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
- Keeping sick children at home from school or daycare can help prevent the spread of diseases.
- Timely vaccinations and promoting good hygiene practices play a crucial role in keeping children healthy.
- If a child’s symptoms persist for more than 2 days, consulting a doctor is recommended.
Recognizing Sickness Signs in Children:
Detecting symptoms of illness in children, like fever and:
- Headaches
- Nasal congestion or a runny nose
- Sneezing or coughing
- Skin rash or diarrhoea
- Glazed eyes
- Fatigue, drowsiness, or loss of appetite
Changes in breathing patterns or pale, blotchy skin are additional indicators of illness in children.
Children showing signs of fatigue, disinterest in usual activities, and a desire to rest may also be unwell.
Use the Symptom Checker for assistance in deciding whether medical help is necessary.
Preventing Common Childhood Illnesses:
Common childhood illnesses often spread rapidly among closely interacting children.
Promoting good hygiene practices, like coughing or sneezing into elbows, can help reduce the spread of germs.
Early recognition of potential signs of sickness, such as shallow breathing or pale skin, is essential for timely intervention.
Emergency Situations:
If a child experiences difficulty breathing, it is crucial to contact emergency services immediately.
Differentiating between allergies and respiratory illnesses is vital, as well as identifying possible allergy triggers.
Urgent medical attention is necessary for severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis, characterized by breathing difficulties, pale skin, and a swollen tongue.
Deciding Whether to Keep a Sick Child at Home:
When considering whether to keep a sick child home, take into account symptoms like:
- Fever higher than 38°C
- Diarrhoea or vomiting
If accompanying symptoms, like a sore throat or rash, persist, it is advisable to observe the child before making a decision.
Keeping sick children at home is crucial in preventing the spread of illnesses to others in the environment.
Seeking Medical Attention:
If a child’s symptoms persist after 2 days, seeking medical help is recommended to prevent the escalation of illness.
Signs indicating the need for medical assistance include:
- Ineffective fever or pain relief medication
- Recurring vomiting or diarrhoea
- Persistent high fever or decreased fluid intake
- Presence of a rash or reduced urination
Refer to the Service Finder to locate healthcare services.
When uncertain about a child’s health, consulting a healthcare professional is advisable.
Recovery and Care:
Resting at home, staying hydrated, and using appropriate medication can aid in a child’s recovery from illness.
Monitoring fever and discomfort levels and providing suitable pain relief while avoiding aspirin use is essential.
Children may require extra care and attention while ill, especially young babies.
Protecting Children from Common Illnesses:
Childhood vaccines and good hygiene practices are essential in safeguarding children from common illnesses.
Emphasizing good hygiene habits, sufficient sleep, and a balanced diet can enhance children’s immune defenses.
Regular vaccinations and hygiene practices are effective in preventing the spread of infectious diseases among children.
Accessing Vaccination Records:
Access your child’s vaccination records on the myGov website for verification of medical information.
Consult your doctor regarding missed vaccinations to schedule catch-up doses following the National Immunisation Program Schedule.
Recovery and Monitoring:
Rest and proper care are crucial for children’s recovery, enabling their immune system to fight illness.
Changes in sleep or appetite during illness are common, but prolonged alterations may require medical attention.
Managing Minor Illnesses:
Many minor illnesses resolve without medication, with pain or fever relief necessary only if discomfort persists.
Ensuring proper dosage adherence when administering paracetamol or ibuprofen to children for fever or pain management is vital.
Emphasizing the correct dosage based on the child’s age is imperative when using over-the-counter medications for children.
Finding Resources in Other Languages:
Discover resources in languages other than English for managing viral illnesses in children or contact the healthdirect helpline.
Receive medical advice or information by speaking with a registered nurse 24/7 at 1800 022 222.
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Last reviewed: August 2024
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Colds and fevers are a typical part of childhood. If you have concerns about your child, seek assistance to ease your mind.
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Key points about seeking help if your child is sick
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Received on July 20, 2019; Revised on November 12, 2019; Accepted on November 17, 2019; Data collection date March 2020.
Abstract
Introduction
A study conducted in Central Tigrai, Ethiopia, aimed at evaluating mothers’ awareness of general danger signs indicating common childhood diseases among children under five. Early recognition and proper treatment are crucial in reducing illness and mortality rates.
Methods
A survey in 2017 involving 416 participants showed that 44.7% of mothers had sound knowledge of common danger signs related to childhood illnesses. Factors influencing awareness included maternal education, occupation, birth order, and information sources.
Results
It was observed that maternal understanding of common childhood illness danger signs was limited. Recommendations include interventions focusing on education, communication initiatives, and enhanced access to healthcare services.
Keywords: General danger signs, awareness, mothers, under-five children
Introduction
General danger signs denote severe diseases affecting child health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has established the Integrated Management of Newborn and Childhood Illness (IMNCI) guidelines to identify these signs in sick children. According to IMNCI, typical danger signs of childhood illnesses include: inability to breastfeed, difficulty eating or drinking, vomiting, seizures, and lethargy/unconsciousness. Children displaying these signs require immediate attention. Many deaths among under-five children are preventable, with acute respiratory infections (ARI), diarrhea, and febrile illnesses being common culprits. Timely recognition and treatment of these signs are critical. The global under-five mortality rate has improved, but several countries are still falling short of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) to reduce child deaths. Maternal recognition of danger signs plays a pivotal role in achieving this target. Diarrhea, ARI, and febrile illnesses are leading causes of child mortality, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Prompt identification and management of these signs are imperative. Although Ethiopia has implemented the IMNCI program and public health campaigns to decrease child mortality rates, deaths remain high. Various factors such as demographics, economic conditions, healthcare accessibility, disease patterns, and maternal care utilization influence childhood illnesses and mortality rates. This study aimed to assess mothers’ awareness of general danger signs in common childhood illnesses in Ethiopia, given the limited data available on this topic in the country.
Methods
Study area and design
The research was conducted in Adwa town, Tigrai, Ethiopia, with mothers of sick children under five in 2017 as the survey participants.
Sample size and sampling procedure
A total of 418 mothers were surveyed for the study, and the sample size was determined based on data on healthcare-seeking behavior.
The mothers were randomly selected for the survey.
Data collection procedure
Structured questionnaires were employed for data collection. The data was translated into the local language for better comprehension. The survey was carried out by nurses and healthcare professionals. A pre-test was conducted before the actual data collection to ensure accuracy and clarity. The confidentiality of the participants was maintained throughout the study.
Operational definitions
General danger signs: Categories include inability to breastfeed, drink, eat, vomiting, convulsions, and lethargy/unconsciousness.
Good knowledge: Refers to mothers who scored above the mean on knowledge-related questions.
Poor knowledge: Indicates mothers who scored below the mean on knowledge-related questions.
Sick children: Denotes children who had ARI, diarrhea, and fever within the past six months.
Data analysis
Data analysis was carried out using SPSS software. Descriptive analysis, bar graphs, and pie charts were utilized for data presentation. The association between variables was examined, and the models were assessed for compatibility and significance of relationships.
Ethical statement
Approval for the study was obtained from the College of Health Sciences at Mekelle University, and cooperation letters were secured from relevant health authorities. Verbal consent was obtained from participants, and confidentiality was strictly maintained.
Results
Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents
416 mothers participated in the study, resulting in a response rate of 99.52%.
The mean age of the mothers was 30.07 years, with the majority being married.
Table 1. Socio-demographic characteristics of mothers in Central Tigrai, Ethiopia, 2017 (N=416).
| Data Points | Occurrences | Distribution | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average age of mothers by age group | |||||
| Age Group | Number of Participants | Average Score |
| 15-19 | 17 | 4.1 |
| 30-34 | 98 | 23.6 |
The age group of 30-34 has a total of 98 participants, which makes up 23.6% of the total population.
| 35-39 | 60 | 14.4 |
In the age group of 35-39, there were 60 participants with an average score of 14.4.
| More than 39 | 24 | 5.8 |
| Individual | 83 | 20 |
| Adherent of Islam | 69 million | 16.6% |
| Elementary School | 102 | 24.5 |
| Worker | 56 | 13.5 |
| Non-governmental entity | 29 | 7 |
Demographic characteristics of under-five children
Out of 416 mothers surveyed, 157 (37.7%) had infants less than a year old. Of these infants, 51.2% were male.
Table 2. Factors Associated with Health Service Utilization for Children Under Five in Central Tigrai, Ethiopia, 2017 (N=416)
| Factors | Occurrences | Distribution | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age of the Child (in months) | |||||
| Ages 0-11 | 157 | 37.7% | |||
| 12-23 | 67 | 16.2 | |||
| 24-35 | 82 | 19.7 |
The age group of 24-35 years old accounts for 82 people, which is 19.7% of the total.
| 36-47 | 57 | 13.7 |
The range of values is from 36 to 47, the central value is 57, and the average is 13.7.
| The range of ages is 48-59 | The median age is 53 | The average age is 12.7 |
| Gender | Total | Percentage |
| Male | 213 | 51.2 |
ANC stands for antenatal care, while PNC stands for postnatal care.
Health service utilization and obstetrics related factors
In the last pregnancy, 86.1% of the participants received antenatal care (ANC) follow-up, and 61.5% received postnatal care (PNC) follow-up.
Childhood illnesses of under-five children
Out of the 416 children who were ill six months prior to the study, 78.6% had two or more symptoms of common childhood illnesses.
Table 3. Incidence of common childhood illnesses and mothers’ awareness of general signs in Central Tigrai, Ethiopia, 2017 (N=416).
| Factors | Occurrence | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Symptoms | ||
| Diarrhea | 307 | 73.8 |
| Fever | 185 | 44.5 |
| Acute respiratory infection | 251 | 60.3 |
The table displays the presence of different symptoms among the patients. Diarrhea was reported in 307 cases, representing 73.8% of the total. Fever was recorded in 185 cases, accounting for 44.5%. Acute respiratory infections were present in 251 cases, making up 60.3% of the total. The absence of these symptoms was also noted, with varying percentages for each.
Knowledge of mothers on general danger signs of common childhood illnesses of under-five children
When it comes to the WHO standard general danger signs of common childhood illnesses, vomiting everything emerged as the most frequently cited danger sign. Among the mothers surveyed, different numbers of WHO general danger signs were mentioned. Specifically, 190 (45.7%) mentioned 2 signs, 81 (19.5%) mentioned 4 signs, 57 (13.7%) mentioned 5 signs, and 25 (6%) mentioned 6 signs.
Table 4. Awareness of mothers regarding general danger signs of common childhood illnesses in Central Tigrai, Ethiopia, 2017 (N=416).
| Factors | Occurrence | Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Inability to breastfeed | ||
| No | 132 | 31.7% |
| Yes | 284 | 68.3% |
| Inability to drink or eat | ||
| No | 176 | 42.3% |
| Yes | 240 | 57.7% |
| Experiencing severe vomiting | ||
| No | 111 | 26.7% |
| Yes | 305 | 73.3% |
| Experiencing convulsions | ||
| No | 216 | 51.9% |
The mothers identified eye problem, ear problem, low body temperature, irritability, tonsillitis, and constipation as key non-WHO standard general danger signs.
A majority of the mothers lacked adequate knowledge about the WHO standard general danger signs for common childhood illnesses.
Figure 1. Survey Results on Mothers’ Awareness of General Danger Signs for Common Childhood Illnesses in Central Tigrai, Ethiopia, 2017.
Factors associated with knowledge of mothers for general danger signs of common childhood illnesses
Educational background, birth order, occupation, and information sources were found to be significantly related to mothers’ awareness of general danger signs for common childhood illnesses.
Mothers with primary education, working in government or non-governmental sectors, and having three or more children were more likely to be informed about general danger signs compared to others. Seeking guidance from healthcare providers also played a significant role in increasing awareness.
Table 5. Factors Influencing Mothers’ Knowledge of General Danger Signs for Common Childhood Illnesses in Central Tigrai, Ethiopia, 2017 (N=416).
| Factors | Understanding | cOR (95%CI) | aOR (95%CI) | P-value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limited | High | ||||
| Attendance at Postnatal Care (PNC) | |||||
| Yes | 133 | 123 | 1.42 (0.95-2.13) | 1.08 (0.69-1.71) | 0.729 |
| No | 97 | 63 | 1 | 1 | |
| House | 129 | 65 | 1 | 1 | |
| Daily laborer | 42 | 14 | 0.134 | ||
| Government employee | 22 | 65 | 2.33 (1.24-4.38) | 2.29 (1.19-4.42)* | 0.014 |
| Merchant | 14 | 15 | 2.13 | ||
| Birth Order of Child | |||||
| 1 | 51 | 27 | 1.35 (0.63-2.87) | 1.53 (0.64-3.69) | 0.681 |
The investigation demonstrated that the educational background and profession of mothers, child birth order, and information sources were significantly connected to the comprehension of general danger signs of common childhood illnesses among mothers.
Mothers with primary education had almost double the likelihood of being informed about general danger signs of common childhood illnesses compared to uneducated mothers (AOR=1.93, 95%CI=1.09-3.44, p=0.025). This association with primary education was also observed in similar studies conducted in Woldia and North West of Ethiopia, indicating that educated mothers acquire knowledge about childhood illness danger signs and health during their educational journey.
The results revealed that mothers working for the government were 5.94 times more likely to have knowledge about general danger signs of common childhood illnesses compared to housewives (AOR=5.94, 95%CI=3.17-11.12, p ≤0.001), and NGO employees were 2.29 times more likely to possess such knowledge than housewives (AOR=2.29, 95%CI=1.19-4.42, p=0.014). The varied experiences of governmental and NGO employee mothers regarding life-threatening conditions of childhood illnesses in their work environment could explain this disparity.
Mothers with more than three children in the under-five birth order were 1.85 times more likely to have an understanding of general danger signs of common childhood illnesses compared to mothers with only one child (AOR=1.85, 95%CI=1.00-3.40, p=0.005). This could be attributed to the accumulated knowledge of illness danger signs gained through experiences with previous children.
Mothers who received information about general danger signs of common childhood illnesses from healthcare providers were 2.19 times more likely to possess knowledge compared to those who relied on their previous child’s experience (AOR=2.19, 95%CI=1.23-3.87, p=0.007). This might be due to the better understanding of health issues that healthcare providers have due to their professional expertise, continuous training, and personal experiences.
aOR – adjusted odds ratio; cOR – crude odds ratio; PNC – postnatal care.
Discussion
A child showing general danger signs of common childhood illnesses requires prompt intervention as delaying care can lead to disability and child mortality. This community-based study aimed to evaluate mothers’ knowledge and associated factors regarding general danger signs of common childhood illnesses among children under five years old in Adwa town.
In this study, 55.3% of mothers exhibited inadequate knowledge of WHO standard general danger signs of common childhood illnesses. This level of understanding is higher compared to previous studies in North West of Ethiopia (18.2%), Gedeo zone (32.4%), and Southwestern Rural Uganda (14.8%). This discrepancy may be influenced by factors such as sample size, time gaps, location, socioeconomic status, and cultural differences.
The integrated management of common newborn and childhood illnesses at the global and national level aims to enhance healthcare quality by addressing gaps in delivering clinical care. Concerns arise from mothers’ lack of awareness about danger signs of childhood illnesses.
This study relied on morbidity data reported by mothers without medical validation, which could introduce bias. Findings indicate a deficiency in mothers’ knowledge of general childhood illness danger signs. Factors such as maternal education, occupation, and information sources play a role in shaping this knowledge.
Recommendations include health education for early recognition of danger signs and collaborative efforts from governmental and non-governmental organizations to enhance maternal knowledge. Literacy, women empowerment, and education emerge as crucial strategies.
The authors express gratitude to Mekelle University and health bureaus for their assistance. Among the authors, contributions varied, with statistical analysis, supervision of data collection, and manuscript composition being key tasks.
No conflicts of interest were reported, and there was no external funding for this study.
References:
- Clinical signs predicting severe illness in young infants (2008)
- WHO Fact sheet on Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (2006)
- Levels & trends in child mortality (2015)
- Recognizing danger signs and health-seeking behavior in childhood illnesses (2015)
- Care-seeking behavior for child illness in sub-Saharan Africa (2013)
- Recognition of childhood illness and care-seeking behavior in developing countries (2014)
- Monitoring health for the SDGs (2016)
- Maternal mortality and child survival accountability (2013)
- Mother’s knowledge about neonatal danger signs (2015)
- Health-seeking practices for childhood illnesses in Albania (2015)
- Health care seeking behavior for childhood illnesses in Ethiopia (2016)
- Knowledge of danger signs in newborns in Nigeria (2015)
- Health-seeking behavior among caregivers of under-five children in Nigeria (2015)
- Knowledge of neonatal danger signs among mothers in Kenya (2016)
- Inadequate knowledge of neonatal danger signs in rural Uganda (2014)
- Low knowledge of neonatal danger signs among postnatal mothers in Ethiopia (2018)
- Improved management of newborn and childhood illnesses in Uganda (2017)