BRIDGING THE GAP: ENHANCING HOME FEVER MANAGEMENT THROUGH EDUCATION AND SOCIOECONOMIC SUPPORT

Background: Effective home fever management in children is vital for their health and well-being. This study aimed to identify the key factors influencing home fever management among parents or caregivers in Kelurahan 3-4 Ulu Palembang, focusing on education, employment, knowledge, and attitudes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 278 parents or caregivers of children aged 2-6 years, selected through consecutive sampling. Data were collected using validated questionnaires that assessed fever management practices, parental knowledge, and attitudes. Bivariate analysis with chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the data and identify the most significant predictors of effective fever management. Results: Employment status emerged as the most significant predictor, with employed parents being 3.617 times more likely to manage fever effectively compared to unemployed parents (p=0.000). Higher educational attainment, good knowledge, and positive attitudes were also strongly associated with better fever management practices (p<0.05). These findings are consistent with existing research highlighting the role of socioeconomic factors in effective health management. Conclusions: The study emphasizes the critical importance of employment and socioeconomic stability in effective home fever management. Public health strategies should focus on supporting unemployed or underemployed parents by improving access to healthcare resources and educational programs. Such interventions could lead to better child health outcomes and more efficient use of healthcare services. Further research is needed to assess the long-term impact of these interventions Keywords: Fever management, parental knowledge, employment, education, socioeconomic factors.