Promoting evidence-based childhood fever management through a peer education programme based on the theory of planned behaviour.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined effectiveness of a theoretically based education programme in reducing inappropriate antipyretic use in fever management.


BACKGROUND
Paediatric nurses' inconsistent, ritualistic antipyretic use in fever management is influenced by many factors including inconsistent beliefs and parental requests. Determinants of antipyretic administration, identified by the theory of planned behaviour, were belief-based attitudes and subjective norms.


METHODS
A quasi-experiment explored group effects of a peer education programme, based on the theory of planned behaviour, on factors influencing paediatric nurses' antipyretic administration. Surveys and chart audits collected data from medical wards at experimental and control hospitals one month pre and one and four months postpeer education programme.


METHODS
All nurses employed in targeted wards were eligible to participate in surveys and all eligible charts were audited. The peer education programme consisted of four one-hour sessions targeting evidence-based knowledge, myths and misconceptions, normative, attitudinal and control influences over and rehearsal of evidence-based fever management. All nurses in experimental hospital targeted wards were eligible to attend. Peer education and support facilitated session information reaching those unable to attend sessions.


RESULTS
Two-way univariate anovas explored between subject, experimental and control group and within subject factors, pre, post and latency data. Significant interactions in normative influence (p = 0.01) and intentions (p = 0.01), a significant main group effect in control influence (p = 0.01) and a significant main effect between audit data across time points (p = 0.03) highlight peer education programme effectiveness in behaviour change. Normative, control and intention changes postpeer education programme were maintained in latency data; mean temperature was not.


CONCLUSIONS
The peer education programme, based on a behaviour change theory, initiated and maintained evidence-based intentions for antipyretics use in fever management.


CONCLUSIONS
The promotion of evidence-based change in organizational unit intentions and behaviour highlights the crucial role peer support and education can play in continuing educational programmes.
Edwards
Helen
H
School of Nursing, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Qld, Australia. h.edwards@qut.edu.au
Walsh
Anne
A
Courtney
Mary
M
Monaghan
Sarah
S
Wilson
Jenny
J
Young
Jeanine
J
D000328:Adult; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000451:nursing*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009731:Nursing Audit; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D010379:Peer Group; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011588:Psychology, Educational; D011793:Queensland; D012944:Social Support
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic