Effect of Family Empowerment Nursing Intervention on Caregivers' Strains and Health-Related Quality of Life of Children with Hepatitis C

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus infection is a community and pediatric problems, needs for supporting their mothers to decrease their strains and powering their children quality of life. Aim: To examine effect of family empowerment nursing intervention on caregivers' strains and health-related quality of life of children with hepatitis C. Design: A quasi-experimental research design. Setting: The study was carried out at outpatient clinics in National Liver Institute at Shebin El-Kom, Menoufia University, Egypt. Sample: Purposive sample composed of 160 caregivers and their children with hepatitis C were recruited. Tools of the study: 1. Structured interviewing questionnaire. 2. Modified Index of Caregivers' Strain 3. Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Version 4. Results: The main findings of current study showed that at pre family empowerment intervention, most (90%) of family caregivers had suffering from high level of strains while only 10% had low level of strains compared to post family empowerment intervention, there was statistically significant decreased in high level of caregivers' strain. Additionally, there was statistical significance improvement in the quality of life of children having hepatitis C; at post family empowerment intervention compared to pre intervention. Conclusion: Family empowerment intervention was effective in reducing family caregivers' feeling of strain and enhances health related quality of life in children with hepatitis C. Recommendations: The need for establishing health education units in every outpatient clinics to provide therapeutic education to children and their family caregivers