Mexican American Mothers' Health Practices for Febrile Children

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the health care practices that Mexican American mothers use for children with fever. Surveys ( N = 47) indicated the following common practices: (a) giving acetaminophen (85%), (b) removing warm clothes (66%), and (c) giving ibuprofen (53%). Potentially harmful practices of administering aspirin to children with fever (23%) and placing alcohol on the body (29%) occurred. Other remedies included praying, giving cold baths, giving Vaporub, offering tea to drink, placing tomatoes or eggs on the body, dressing with clothes, using herbs or magic, giving enemas, putting alcohol in the belly button, giving Nyquil, and keeping the child in the house.El propósito de este estudio era para identificar las prácticas del cuidado de salud en madres mejicanasestadounidenses para niños con fiebre. Encuestas (N = 47) indicaron las siguientes prácticas comunes: (a) dar acetaminofen (85%), (b) remover ropa de invierno (66%) y (c) dar ibuprofen (53%). Prácticas potencialmente dañinas como administración de aspirina a niños con fiebre (23%) y aplicación de alcohol al cuerpo (29%) ocurrieron. Otros remedios incluyeron el rezar, dar baños frios, utilizar Vaporub, dar té para beber, aplicar tomates o huevos en el cuerpo, preparar con ropa, utilizar hierbas o mágia, dar enemas, poner alcohol en el ombligo, dar Nyquil y mantener al niño en la casa.

Hispanic Parental Beliefs and Practices in the Management of Common Childhood Illnesses: A Review of the Literature

“…Cough medicine and laxatives were also used for cough and stomach-related symptoms (Mendelson, 2003;Mikhail, 1994). Parents in four studies reported giving their children medications from Mexico (Foronda & Waite, 2008;Grigg et al, 2013;Harrison & Scarinci, 2007;Mikhail, 1994). Reasons for this practice included the high cost of medications in the United States and the availability of antibiotics over the counter in Latin American countries (Grigg et al, 2013;Harrison & Scarinci, 2007).…”

“…Reasons for this practice included the high cost of medications in the United States and the availability of antibiotics over the counter in Latin American countries (Grigg et al, 2013;Harrison & Scarinci, 2007). Three studies reported the use of aspirin for fever, with one noting 23% of mothers using aspirin (Foronda & Waite, 2008;Mikhail, 1994;Taveras et al, 2004). Parents also gave medications bought from pharmacies in Mexican stores primarily because no appointment or permission was needed (Harrison & Scarinci, 2007).…”

“…Herbal remedies were the most commonly used treatment for illness. Herbal teas, including manzanilla or chamomile tea and yerba buena, mint tea, were frequently given for fever and diarrhea (Andrews et al, 2013;Colucciello & Woelfel, 1998;Foronda & Waite, 2008;Mikhail, 1994). Cinnamon tea, eucalyptus, and oregano were used for cough and cold illnesses (Mikhail, 1994;Pachter et al, 1998;Robledo et al, 1999).…”

Hispanic Mothers’ Narratives: Experiences of Parenting a Child with Cystic Fibrosis, Health Beliefs, and Health Care Experiences Related to Cystic Fibrosis

“…Two studies demonstrated consistent themes of fears and deficient or limited maternal knowledge (Berg et al, 2007;Robledo et al, 1999). These studies are also consistent with mother's health practices of febrile children where unsafe fever management was found because of a lack of mother's knowledge (Foronda & Waite, 2008). Rehm (1999) investigated the meaning of religious faith with Mexican American parents, primarily mothers, with a child with chronic health conditions.…”

“…The significance of the limited studies highlights the potentially often covert practices of home or folk remedies that might not be shared with the health care providers (Bearison, Minian, & Granowetter, 2002;Foronda & Waite, 2008). Gaining an understanding of cultural health beliefs and practices might provide insight into the family's approach to care for their child with CF and carrying out prescribed therapies.…”