Effectiveness of Giving Warm Compresses to Decrease Body Temperature in Children Fever Aged 3-5 Years at Pratama Wijaya Husada Inpatient Clinic

Wulandari, Nila Widya Keswara

Abstract

Fever is a physiological condition characterized by an increase in body temperature above the normal range, usually as a response to infection or inflammation. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2020), a child is considered to have a fever if the body temperature reaches ≥38°C, measured orally, axillary, or rectally. This condition often becomes a concern for parents because it can disrupt a child’s comfort and daily activities. Preschool-aged children (3–5 years) are more prone to fever due to the immaturity of their immune systems. Fever management can be carried out through pharmacological treatments or non-pharmacological interventions. One of the recommended non-pharmacological approaches is the application of warm compresses, which help lower body temperature by facilitating heat transfer through peripheral vasodilation (Nursalam, 2019). Several studies have shown the effectiveness of warm compresses in reducing body temperature in children. For instance, research by Yulianti and Astuti (2020) demonstrated a significant decrease in body temperature after 15–30 minutes of warm compress application. This method is considered safe, simple, and applicable both at home and in healthcare settings. However, the use of warm compresses is not yet a standard procedure in primary healthcare facilities, such as community or primary clinics. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of warm compress therapy in reducing body temperature among children aged 3–5 years who experience fever at the Wijaya Husada Inpatient Clinic.