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Table 2 Beliefs about fever and harmful effects as reported by parents (N = 402)

From: Beliefs and practices regarding childhood fever among parents: a cross-sectional study from Palestine

Variable

Frequency (%)

Beliefs about causes of fever

 

 Fever is a symptom for certain illnesses

311 (77.4)

 Fever is a natural result of child growth

78 (19.4)

 Fever is a disease rather than a symptom

13 (3.2)

Beliefs about temperature of feverish child

 

 Less than 38°C

28 (7.0)

 38–38.5°C

160 (39.7)

 38.5-39°C

155 (38.6)

 More than 39°C

59 (14.7)

Beliefs about harmful effects of fever

 

 Dehydration

63 (15.7)

 Brain damage

153 (38.1)

 Other organs damage (e.g. liver and kidney damage)

57 (14.2)

 Indication of serious illness

19 (4.7)

 Loss of consciousness

56 (13.9)

 Febrile seizure

16 (4.0)

 Brain damage + other organs damage + Indication of serious illness

26 (6.5)

 All effects

12 (3.0)