Assessment of Caregiver's Knowledge and Practices Regarding Care of their Children with Sickle Cell Disease

Abstract

Background: Sickle cell disease is one of the most common monogenetic disorders worldwide and it is a group of genetic red blood cell disorders, inherited as an autosomal recessive condition characterized by the presence of an abnormal hemoglobin S. Aim: The current study aimed to assess the caregiver's knowledge and practices regarding care of their children with sickle cell disease. Design: A descriptive research design was used in this study. Setting: This study was conducted at inpatient department and outpatient clinic department in the Egyptian children's Hospital affiliated to General Authority of Health Insurance. Sample: A purposive sample of 50 caregivers and their accompanying children with sickle cell disease. Tool: The study consisted of two tools to assess: I: Structured Interview Questionnaire Sheet to assess caregiver's knowledge regarding sickle cell disease II: Observational checklists to assess caregiver's reported practices regarding care of their children. Results: Nearly two thirds of studied children were males and less than half of the studied children had hemoglobin ss sickle cell disease less than two thirds of the studied caregivers had unsatisfactory knowledge regarding sickle cell disease. more than half of the studied caregivers had incompetent practices regarding care of their children with sickle cell disease. Conclusion: The present study concluded that the studied caregivers had deficit level of knowledge and poor of level of reported practices, and also there were a statistical significant positive correlation between the studied caregivers' knowledge and their total reported practices regarding care of children with sickle cell disease. Recommendations: A periodical educational program for caregivers to improve knowledge and practices regarding care of their children sickle cell disease.