Abstract
Introduction: Fever is a common childhood symptom that is considered to be the cause of around 70% of pediatric visits. Objectives: This study aimed to assess parents' knowledge about and management of fevers in children since the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study collected data from 488 Saudi Arabian parents using a self-administered questionnaire to assess the parents' knowledge about fevers and how to manage them in children. SPSS was used for analysis. Results: The mean total knowledge score was 8.85 +/- 2.09 out of 18, indicating poor knowledge levels. Females had higher total knowledge scores than males. Only 3.69% of respondents identified the rectum as the best location for taking children's temperatures. A total of 59% knew that fever scan lead to seizures, but 65% believed it also leads to blindness. Most used ear thermometers (51.43%). A majority (76.43%) thought COVID-19 made them more concerned about fevers, with 65.98% becoming more worried about children's fevers after COVID-19. Conclusion: Saudi Arabian parents have low levels of knowledge about children's fevers after COVID-19, despite believing the pandemic improved their knowledge. More health-promoting campaigns are needed to boost knowledge about childhood fevers.