Assessment of the knowledge of medical officers in the management of children presenting with febrile illnesses

Abstract

Introduction: Childhood fever is a common reason to seek medical advice for a child globally. Correct decision making and appropriate interventions, which depend on relevant knowledge, are critical in the management of these children. Objectives: To assess the knowledge of medical officers (MOs) in the management of children presenting with febrile illnesses in Badulla district Method: A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out among MOs serving in the Badulla Deputy Provincial Director of Health Service area using a self-administered questionnaire with 80 knowledge assessment questions for which scores were given. Cut off scores for knowledge level were demarcated using the inter-quartile range of the set of scores of the sample. Results: Of the 210 MOs who were given the selfadministered questionnaire, 189 (90%) who responded formed the study group. Knowledge scores were skewed towards the left with the mean 55.7, median 56.0, mode 49.0, minimum 35.0, maximum 79.0, skewness -0.212 and standard deviation ± 8.6. Nearly equal proportions had poor, satisfactory and good knowledge. Level of knowledge was stratified according to the job category and duration of experience in order to target possible corrective measures more effectively. Level of knowledge was seen to be increasing among medical officers who had less than two years of experience but the association was not significant (p>0.05). Level of knowledge was also seen to be increasing among medical officers who worked with in-ward paediatric cases and the association was significant at p<0.01 level. Nearly 60% of each referred National Guidelines and text books while internet and journals were referred by 45% and 22% respectively. Conclusions: One third of medical officers had good knowledge and the level of knowledge was seen to be significantly decreased in those who did not work with paediatric in-ward cases.