CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Febrile convulsion [FC] in children below five years is a common childhood problem which
usually causes anxiety and fear among parents, especially mothers. A FC refers to a seizure
occurring in infancy or childhood usually between three months and five years of age as a
result of elevated body temperature. [1] Studies show that FC which are usually caused by
infections in children are the single most common seizure type and occur in two to five
percent of children younger than age five years with a peak of incidence in the second year of
life. [2] Globally, children with fever and FC account for as many as twenty percent of
pediatric emergency department. [3]
However another report stated that most cases of FC occur between ages of 6 to 36 months.
[4]
1.1 Background Of Study
Despite having a good prognosis, FC is a very difficult condition for parents to handle.
Concerns about the future health of the child are the most common causes of fear among the
parents. Sources of concern include fear of recurrence, mental retardation, physical disability
and even death. FC in children can cause stress and anxiety for parents and may lead to
disturbance in the parents‟ sleeping pattern, family‟s quality of life, and social activities. [5-7]
Witnessing their child suffering from convulsions is a horrifying and stressful experience for
parents which stair up their emotions. [4] A review on the related literature indicates that
nursing, as a family-centered profession, has paid little attention to the problem of mothers
whose children suffered from FC.
It must be noted that mothers as primary caregivers are more involved in this challenge. [7] Is
said that mothers lack an appropriate knowledge of the disease[8] and some of them get panicked when their child develops a fever and become agitated when they are unable to
control the fever and it‟s negative effects,[9-10] but little is known about the experience of
mothers from their own perspective. Mother‟s challenges in facing with their child‟s
convulsions might have unknown aspects. These aspects can influence the mother and other
family members. [4]
2
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The incidence of febrile seizure in Cameroon is estimated to be between one and three
percent of all children under the age of five. [11] The majority of febrile seizures occur in
children aged 6 months to 5 years, with a peak incidence at around 18 months.
Febrile seizures are more common in boys than in girls, and in children of lower
socioeconomic status. [12]The article „„Febrile seizure Seizures in Cameroonian Children,
A Retrospective Study‟‟ states that „„boys had a significantly higher incidence of febrile
seizures (20.6%) than girls (16.2%).
The majority of febrile seizures in Cameroon are treated in primary health care facilities,
and there is a lack of access to specialist care for families affected by febrile seizures. This result is a significant burden on families and communities, including emotional
distress, financial strain, and stigma.[13] The limited healthcare resources available to
families include primary health care facilities, where is often a shortage of trained staff
and medication. There is also a lack of knowledge and awareness about febrile seizures
among mothers, which can lead to inappropriate treatment and management.
1.3 Research Questions
1. What are the types of convulsive attacks in children below 5 years?
2. What are the management techniques used by the mothers of these infants whose
children are victims of febrile convulsions at home
3. What are the difficulties faced by these mothers in the home management of
convulsive attacks in their children
1.4 Objectives
1.4.1 Main objective
-To identify the home management of convulsive attacks in children below five years
by the mothers of these infants at the Azire integrated health center.
Specific objective
– To assess the types of convulsive attacks in children below five years
– To identify the management techniques used by the mothers of these infants at
home.
– To identify the difficulties faced by these mothers at home.