Fever in Children Under 5 years: Caregivers’ Knowledge and Home Management Practices in the Northern Region of Ghana – A Multi-Facility Study

Background: Fever is a common condition in children under 5. Misconceptions surrounding its management can result in poor health outcomes. Objectives: To assess caregivers’ knowledge and home management practices regarding fever in children under 5 in the Northern Region of Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed in this study. Data was collected via structured questionnaires and analyzed with JMP Pro 17.1. Results: Among 384 caregivers, 57% had good fever knowledge, and 57.3% practiced proper home management. While 66.7% correctly defined fever (>38°C), 76.8% mistakenly believed teething could cause fever. Most caregivers reported that they would visit a hospital if the child exhibited additional symptoms (93.0%), or if the fever had no apparent cause (78.9%). Predictors of knowledge included occupation, education, income, and health insurance. Fever management practices were influenced by maternal age, religion, health insurance, and child’s age. Conclusion: Most caregivers demonstrated good fever knowledge and management, but misconceptions persist, particularly on teething and medication use. Targeted education is needed to correct these gaps and improve first-aid practices.