DOI: 10.21765/pprjournal.1911450 ISSN: 2147-6470

EVALUATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FEVER MANAGEMENT AND RATIONAL DRUG USE IN ADOLESCENT AND NON-ADOLESCENT MOTHERS

Zinnarin Babat, Dilek Çiftçi Baykal
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Objective: This study is a cross-sectional and descriptive study conducted to examine the attitudes of adolescent mothers and non-adolescent mothers regarding fever management and rational drug use.Methods: Mothers with children aged 6-24 months who visited Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Dursun Odabaş Medical Center between January 2025 and May 2025 constituted the study population. The G*Power analysis determined that 84 mothers would be sufficient, and the study was completed with 110 participating mothers. The sociodemographic information form, the Parent Fever Management Scale (PFMS) and the Parent Attitude Scale Towards Rational Medication Use (PARSMU) were used as data collection tools. The data were analysed using the SPSS 26.0 programme.Results: The research results revealed that extended family structures were more common among adolescent mothers, while nuclear family structures were more common among non-adolescent mothers (p=0.007). Non-adolescent mothers were more likely to have a thermometer at home (p=0.001), and armpit measurement was more common in this group, while forehead measurement was more common in the adolescent mother group, with a greater effect size. No relationship was found between the two groups in terms of the total EAYÖ score (p=0.876). According to education level, it was found that the total AİKYETÖ score and the “correct and conscious use” sub-dimension scores of those with a bachelor's degree and above were significantly higher (p<0.05). In terms of family type, the nuclear family group had higher AIKYETÖ total and “correct and conscious use” scores (p<0.05).Conclusion: The two groups had similar general attitudes toward fever management and rational drug use, but factors such as educational level, family structure, and keeping a thermometer at home were found to influence some behavioral components. Evidence-based, practice-oriented education programs are considered necessary, especially for mothers with low educational levels and extended family structures.

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