Effect of Nursing Instructions on Knowledge and Practice of Mothers Having Children with Leukemia Undergoing Chemotherapy

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

The Department of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing* and The Department of Pediatric Oncology, National Cancer Institute**, Cairo University, Egypt

Abstract

Abstract
Background: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy encountered at the pediatric age group.
Aim of Study: Was to evaluate the effect of nursing in-structions on knowledge and practice of mothers having children with leukemia undergoing chemotherapy.
Subjects and Methods: One group pre-posttest design quasi-experimental research design was utilized to carry out the current study. The current study was conducted in Pediatric Oncology Outpatient Clinic and Inpatient Department at National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cairo University. A convenient sample of 50 mothers of children with ALL undergoing chemotherapy was participated for the current study. Data were collected using the following tools, structured interview questionnaire; knowledge assessment sheet and reported-practice sheet.
Results: The results of the study revealed that there were statistically significant differences between mothers' total mean scores of knowledge and reported practice after than before receiving nursing instructions. All mothers had poor level of knowledge and reported practice regarding care of their children with leukemia undergoing chemotherapy before getting nursing instructions. After receiving nursing instruc-tions, the highest percentage of them had average level of reported practice and good level of knowledge.
Conclusion: The study concluded that the designed nursing instructions were effective in improving mothers' knowledge and reported practice regarding care of their children with leukemia undergoing chemotherapy.
Recommendation: The study recommended the integration of the designed nursing instructions for mothers in Pediatric Oncology Units; it would provide a framework for mothers' role for their children with leukemia.

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