Caregiver Knowledge Research Articles

Role Of Socioeconomics, Psychological State, and Attitude Toward Care Giving on Quality of Life of Dependent Patients’ Caregivers in the Northeast of Thailand

Background Caring for patients with dependency is a burden on primary caregivers, which impacts them economically, socially, and psychologically. The perception of caregiving and the psychological state associated with it further contribute to these effects. Objectives This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to study the socioeconomic and caregiving burden factors associated with the Quality of Life (QOL) of dependent patients’ caregivers in the Northeastern region of Thailand. Methodology A total of 1,335 dependent patients’ caregivers aged 18–59 years in the Northeastern Region of Thailand were selected by multistage random sampling to respond to a self-administered structured questionnaire. The Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) was performed to identify socioeconomic and caregiving burden factors associated with QOL while controlling the effects of covariates, presenting Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). Results Among 1,335 dependent patients’ caregivers, more than half of them had poor QOL (58.05%; 95% CI:39.28 - 44.65). Factors associated with poor QOL were age 46-59 years (AOR=4.30; 95% CI: 2.84-6.51, p-value<0.001), insufficient financial status with debt (AOR=5.89; 95% CI: 3.85-9.01, p-value<0.001), low caregiving knowledge level (AOR=2.43; 95% CI: 1.63-3.64, p-value<0.001), average to low attitude caregiving level (AOR=4.45; 95% CI: 3.30-5.99, p-value <0.001), and having depression (AOR = 3.57; 95% CI: 1.93-6.59, p-value<0.001). Conclusion The findings from this study have important implications for healthcare practice and policy—interventions aimed at improving the QOL of caregivers.

Public Knowledge and Attitude of Caregivers Regarding Leftover Medications for Children under 6 Years of Age in Japan: A Descriptive Study on a Nationwide Exploratory Questionnaire Survey to Caregivers.

Leftover medications are a global concern for harm to health and inadequate medical care costs. However, information on leftover medicines and their inappropriate use in children in Japan is lacking. We aimed to clarify the proportion of leftover and re-use of children's medications in Japan. We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional questionnaire survey using eight web-based domains, which covered parents' demographics, children's demographics, actual practices in handling about leftover (1) acute medication, (2) chronic medication, (3) short-term medicine, (4) antibiotic, and (5) topical medication, and attitudes towards leftover medicine. The questionnaire comprised 40 questions. We obtained responses from 3046 caregivers with children aged under 6 years before elementary school. Among these participants, 95% (2674/2809), 57% (147/256), and 69% (1687/2457) had experience with leftover acute medication use, medication for chronic disease, and short-term medication use, respectively. Instances of leftover antibiotics being given to the child's brother/sister, parents, and child's friends were 8.7, 7.9, and 3.2%, respectively. This trend was similar to other medication categories. In conclusion, most caregivers have experienced leftover medications; however, managing leftover medications depends on their beliefs and is influenced by inadequate knowledge about medications. Most of these cases lead to inadequate use of medications in children. Medical staff, especially pharmacists, need to educate and instruct caregivers on the appropriate use of children's medications.

Three-Dimensional Animated Videos Improve Caregiver Craniosynostosis Education.

Background: Craniosynostosis management involves various surgical options early in a patient's life. Nevertheless, few three-dimensional (3D) tools exist to help caregivers comprehend craniosynostosis anatomy and surgical options. This study aims to assess the efficacy of 3D animated videos for enhancing craniosynostosis education in caregivers. Methods: We created 3D animated videos describing anatomy and surgical options (eg, fronto-orbital advancement, posterior vault reconstruction) for three craniosynostosis diagnoses: bicoronal, metopic, and sagittal. In a cross-sectional survey, caregivers rated their understanding of craniosynostosis on 10-point Likert-scales, labelled anatomic sutures, and answered true/false general (eg, "The sutures have fused too early") and diagnosis-specific (eg, "The distractors are not removed after surgery") craniosynostosis knowledge questions. Respondents were then shown an animated video and asked the same set of questions after watching the video. Results: A total of 69 craniosynostosis caregivers (mean age 35 years, 73% Caucasian, 64% female) completed the survey. After watching the video, caregivers self-rated their understanding of craniosynostosis as significantly higher (mean score difference: 2.62, P < .01). Caregivers also scored significantly higher on the general and diagnosis-specific knowledge questions (mean score difference: 1.27, P < .01). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that our animated videos improved caregiver craniosynostosis understanding and knowledge. These findings may inform how surgeons approach future caregiver craniosynostosis education.

Dementia knowledge of family caregivers in Indonesia: A cross-sectional survey study.

As the population ages, the prevalence of dementia in Indonesia is rapidly increasing. In Indonesia, dementia care is primarily provided by informal or family caregivers. However, there is limited information about these caregivers' understanding of dementia and the factors that may influence their knowledge. Given that family members are the primary source of dementia care in Indonesia, it is essential to understand their knowledge and identify any gaps to inform future educational interventions. To explore the knowledge of dementia among Indonesian family caregivers and identify the sociodemographic factors associated with dementia knowledge. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2022 with 200 family caregivers who were members of Alzheimer's Indonesia (ALZI) support groups. These caregivers received invitations via ALZI to complete a translated version of the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS-I). Independent t-tests and ANOVAs were used to examine differences in dementia knowledge across various subgroups, such as gender, education, and age. Seventy-six family caregivers completed the DKAS-I (38% response rate). Respondents had an average age of 49 years, were mostly female, and the majority were children of people with dementia. Over two-thirds of the DKAS-I items were answered correctly by family caregivers, with the 'care considerations' domain scoring the highest. Age, relationship to the person with dementia (being a child), and prior dementia education were significantly correlated with higher dementia knowledge in our sample. Family caregivers of people living with dementia across 10 Indonesian provinces who were members of dementia support groups demonstrated moderate dementia knowledge. Targeted education is needed to address gaps in knowledge about communication and behavioural changes in people with dementia and other areas related to quality of care. There is an opportunity for gerontological nurses with specialised dementia knowledge to lead educational initiatives for family caregivers to enhance their capacity. Future research should also investigate the dementia knowledge of caregivers in the general population, who may be older and less educated compared to the participants in this study.

Factors Influencing Meal Provision and Dietary Support Behaviour of Caregivers of People with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Caregivers play an important role in supporting care recipients to navigate their health needs, including adherence to dietary recommendations, which are complex and multifaceted. This study aims to (i) describe the nutrition knowledge of caregivers of people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and (ii) explore caregivers' perceptions of their role in providing healthy meals and nutrition support for care recipients. A cross-sectional study design employed a multi-strategy research approach. Caregivers (n = 78) of people with stage 1-5 CKD or post-transplant were recruited from a single centre. Their nutrition knowledge was assessed quantitatively with the revised General Nutrition Knowledge questionnaire. Theory-informed semi-structured interviews of a sub-sample (n = 12) qualitatively explored caregiver perceptions. Most caregivers were female (75.6%) and cared for a male care recipient (87%; aged 74 (66; 80) yrs.). The caregivers (75.6%) provided a meal ≥6 times/week to their care recipient and had moderate nutrition knowledge (66.1 (60.5; 73.9)%). Four themes emerged describing the caregivers' perceptions of meal provision and nutrition support, including the following: (i) food literacy skills are valued; (ii) social support is important; (iii) caregivers' sense of social responsibility; and (iv) the management of complex and multifaceted dietary needs. The caregivers had moderate nutrition knowledge; they wanted to provide healthy meals and support to their care recipients to adhere to dietary recommendations. Targeted, co-designed nutrition education programs for caregivers may enhance nutrition care delivery to people with CKD.

Knowledge and perception of asthma among parents of children with asthma.

Parents' knowledge is an integral part of healthcare quality, impacting treatment adherence, patient loyalty and healthcare utilisation in pediatric asthma. Parental knowledge is particularly crucial as parents influence decision-making for their child's healthcare. To assess parents' knowledge and perceptions of their children's asthma and to identify areas for weakness in therapeutic education. This is transversal survey study based on validated and translated self-administered questionnaire (Arabic asthma knowledge questionnaire AAKQ). The study was conducted in 2 departments: pediatric primary care department at Elomrane and pediatric pneumology outpatient clinics at Bechir Hamza children's hospital of Tunis during 6 months (March2022- October2022). One hundred forty-four parents were involved in the study. Most of the participants were mothers. The mean age was 38 years. Only 27,0% had higher education and smoking in parents was observed in 58% of cases. Our results showed moderate knowledge in 67,9% of participants. The mean of the total knowledge score was 57,7/85. Forty-six per cent of parents had poor knowledge for the first category of the questionnaire. The second category was the most successful part where only 14% had poor knowledge. The mean score of the third category was 13,5/20 with 35,4% of parents having poor knowledge. The mean of total knowledge was found to be higher among participants with higher education (P=0,000), when the gender of the child is masculine (P=0,038), when the parents were asked in Hospital of children of Tunis (P=0,003) and when there is a history of asthma in the siblings (P=0,05). No difference in caregiver's knowledge was based on their age or gender or history of asthma, on the age of the child, his hospitalization for asthma, his asthma control level or his compliance with medication. Knowledge of parents and their children suffering from asthma is acceptable but insufficient. An approach focusing on improving patient education skills is needed to help families understand and accept the disease and achieve optimal control.

Effect of Emergency Scenario-Based Training Program on Knowledge, Self-confidence, and Competency of Elderly Caregiver Volunteers in a Rural Thai Community: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Many older people with comorbidities encounter emergency or life-threatening situations, but the response is often neglected or delayed, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality rates. Community preparedness to reduce the impact of emergency crises on older people is essential. This study aimed to determine the effect of an emergency scenario-based training program (ESBTP) for elderly care on the knowledge, self-confidence, and competency of volunteer caregivers in a rural Thai community. The one-group pre-post-test, quasi-experimental study, was conducted with a non-randomized research sampling of 40 community healthcare volunteers in Vibhavadi district, Surat Thani, Thailand. The research was conducted between October and December 2021. The ESBTP was based on Bloom's learning theory. The research instrument was a three-part questionnaire measuring knowledge, self-confidence, and competency in geriatric life-threatening surveillance and emergency assistance (GLTSEA) at one, four, and eight weeks of training. Data were analyzed using Bonferroni statistics and repeated measures ANOVA through the software IBM SPSS version 28 with hypothesis testing at P<0.05. The results revealed that at Week 1, Week 4, and Week 8, the volunteers attending the ESBTP demonstrated significantly higher GLTSEA competency (P<0.001). Otherwise, the participants were not significantly different in GLTSEA knowledge (P=0.068) and self-confidence (P= 0.052) after the training. Volunteers' competency increased after ESBTP, but there must be continuity in community training to develop the relevant knowledge, self-confidence, and skills for emergencies.

Exploring the Experiences of Parents Caring for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Nepal

This study aimed to explore the experiences of parents caring for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Ten parents (three males, seven females) with at least seven years of ASD caregiving experience were purposively sampled. In-depth interviews, recorded with consent, were conducted and transcribed, supplemented by phone interviews. Manual analysis of the data revealed common themes and patterns, offering insights into the challenges and experiences of ASD caregiving in Nepal. Parents in Nepal invest significant time and resources into their children's well-being, but identifying atypical behavior, particularly in children with ASD, might lead to stress and complications. Challenges in effective parenting stem from cultural, economic, and knowledge gaps in ASD caregiving. While sharing culture and essential caregiving knowledge aids in stress management, it's insufficient. Local governments and community groups might be offered accessible resources. Similarly, comprehensive support networks, stress management courses, instructional materials, and targeted interventions are necessary to address family-related stress effectively.

Optimizing Stroke Care Transitions: A Patient-Centered Discharge Program for Caregivers

Inadequate discharge planning can worsen long-term outcomes for patients with stroke, delaying their recovery. Equipping caregivers with the knowledge to manage rehabilitation needs is crucial for facilitating a smooth hospital-to-home transition. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of a “Patient-Centered Discharge Program for Caregivers” on the comprehensiveness and clarity of discharge advice provided to caregivers of stroke survivors. Using a quasi-experimental design, the study compared a control group receiving standard discharge planning and an experimental group receiving the “Patient-Centered Discharge Program for Caregivers.” 62 caregivers of stroke survivors formed the participant pool. The program focused on various comprehensive discharge advice domains delivered to the caregivers. The discharge advice, knowledge, and skills of caregivers regarding stroke care were assessed on the day of discharge through questionnaires and checklists. Compared to the control group, the discharge instructions of the experimental group became more comprehensive and clear, with a significant improvement in knowledge and skills regarding stroke care ( p &lt; .05). The knowledge scores of the caregivers showed a statistically significant difference from the control group, with a mean difference of 8.78. ( p &lt; .05). The experimental group demonstrated good skills in nearly all procedures compared to the control group, including oral care, range of motion exercises, feeding, suctioning, and back care ( p &lt; .05). The “Patient-Centered Discharge Program for Caregivers” led to the delivery of more comprehensive discharge instructions, subsequently increasing caregivers’ knowledge. It highlights the benefits of such programs in equipping caregivers for effective discharge planning, with future research needed to evaluate long-term benefits. Trial/Protocol Registration: Clinical Trials Registry India (CTRI) CTRI/2023/07/055602 Link: https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/rmaindet.php?trialid=89913&amp;EncHid=35558.64662&amp;modid=1&amp;compid=19

Predictors of measles-rubella vaccination status in the Savannah Region, Ghana: A cross-sectional study among caregivers of children aged 18–59 months

IntroductionSavannah Region witnessed a decline in measles-rubella (MR) vaccination coverage prior to the measles outbreak in 2022. This study aimed to assess contributory factors of the low routine MR vaccination coverage and proffer recommendations to improve vaccination uptake. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in two districts (Bole and Central Gonja) of Savannah Region from December 2022 to June 2023. Caregivers of children 18–59 months were randomly selected and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed to assess predictors of MR vaccination status. ResultsChildren of caregivers with inadequate knowledge of MR vaccination (AOR = 0.58, 95 %CI: 0.47–0.72), travelled more than five km to access health services (AOR = 0.48, 95 %CI: 0.39–0.59), described health workers attitude as poor (AOR = 0.44, 95 %CI: 0.26–0.74), and those who sought treatment for adverse events following immunization (AEFI) from the pharmacy (AOR = 0.65, 95 %CI: 0.51–0.84) were less likely to complete MR vaccination. On the contrary, children of female sex (AOR = 1.27, 95 %CI: 1.05–1.53), aged 24–59 month (AOR = 2.56, 95 %CI: 1.05–1.53), caregivers with primary or secondary education (AOR = 1.43, 95 %CI: 1.11–1.84; and AOR = 2.23, 95 %CI: 1.64–3.03 respectively), and those who did not experience rescheduling of vaccination sessions (AOR = 1.61, 95 % CI: 1.25–2.01) were more likely to complete routine MR vaccination schedule. ConclusionInadequate caregiver knowledge, poor geographical access to health services, poor healthcare worker attitude, and non-institutional management of AEFI significantly contributed to the low MR vaccination uptake in the Savannah Region. Adopting tailored approaches to addressing these factors could improve vaccination coverage.

Studi Fenomenologi: Pengalaman Ibu dengan Anak Tunagrahita di Sekolah Luar Biasa Negeri Tompokersan, Lumajang

Intellectual disability (tunagrahita) is a condition that poses significant challenges when experienced by children, characterized by intellectual impairment with an Intelligence Quotient (IQ) below the average. Children with intellectual disabilities face difficulties in self-care, communication, and adapting to their environment. This study aims to explore the experiences of mothers raising children with intellectual disabilities at SLBN Tompokersan, Lumajang. The study used a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach to gain an in-depth understanding of lived experiences from the perspective of the participants, involving five respondents. The findings revealed five main themes: parenting methods for children with intellectual disabilities, the emotional experiences of mothers, changes in parental (mother's) mindset after having a child with intellectual disabilities, lack of parental knowledge in caregiving, and the level of children's dependence on their mothers or others. A key takeaway from this study is that the different experiences of mothers in raising children with intellectual disabilities significantly influence their parenting styles.

Preparedness for Caregiving Role and Telehealth Use to Provide Informal Palliative Home Care in Portugal: A Qualitative Study.

Background/Objectives: Given the increasing occurrence of long-term illnesses, it is imperative to focus on adequately preparing and assisting those who assume the responsibility of caregiving. Our study aims to explore whether caregivers feel prepared to provide informal palliative home care, their experiences, and the usefulness of telehealth in managing daily activities. Methods: Using a descriptive qualitative research design and a purposeful sampling technique, thirteen primary family caregivers who provide informal palliative home care were recruited. Data collection was conducted through face-to-face individual interviews conducted from May 2023 to July 2023. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Caregivers were mainly female (n = 8) with a mean age of 59.5 years (SD = 9.42). Based on our findings, three overarching themes emerged: (1) becoming a caregiver, (2) support-from-home palliative care team, and (3) telehealth in palliative home care. The reasons that influence the preparedness of family caregivers include their own desires, health conditions, their range of responsibilities, and the consequences that arise from the situation's complexity. Telehealth helps fulfill the patient's wishes to be at home in EoL and provides caregivers with access to professional guidance and support. Conclusions: Specialized home-based palliative care teams must be aware of caregivers' self-assurance, knowledge, skills, and aptitudes in carrying out daily responsibilities and in managing emotions to improve preparedness for caregiving, loss, and its aftermath. The provision of professional PC services in the home along with a robust support system for informal caregivers is invaluable.

Reasons for Neonatal Presentations to Pediatric Emergency Departments in Catania: Multicentric Cross-Sectional Analysis and Exhaustive Review of the Literature.

This study aimed to characterize neonatal admissions to pediatric emergency departments (PEDs) in Catania, to analyze the primary pediatric conditions leading to these admissions, and to explore the association between the demographic characteristics of the population and the severity of their presentations. A retrospective analysis was conducted on neonates (aged <28 days) admitted to three PEDs in Catania between January 2015 and December 2019. Additionally, a comprehensive review of the literature on this topic was performed. A total of 5183 neonates presented during the study period, with a median age of 14 days at admission. The top three diagnoses were neonatal jaundice (15%), abdominal discomfort (12%), and upper airway inflammation (11%). The majority of cases were classified as non-urgent (green) at triage (59%). Overall, 1296 patients (25%) required hospitalization; 95% of those assigned a yellow triage color at admission required hospitalization. Only 33% of hospitalized patients were referred by parents, while the majority were referred by primary care pediatricians. The highest number of admissions occurred in August, while the peak in hospitalizations was in February. The majority of neonatal PED admissions are for non-acute conditions that do not require immediate medical attention. This concerning trend leads to increased workloads for PED staff, higher healthcare costs, and potential risks to neonates. Possible causes include insufficient caregiver knowledge, inadequate parental education, and suboptimal transition from hospital to primary care pediatric services.

Improving Hypertension Outcomes: Assessing Caregivers’ Knowledge, Attitude and Practices in Rural Malawi

Introduction: Hypertension is a major global health issue, significantly contributing to the burden of cardiovascular diseases, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Malawi. Caregivers play a crucial role in managing hypertension in these settings, yet their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) are not well-documented. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of caregivers for hypertensive patients in rural Malawi, as well as to identify any disparities in these areas. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2023 to February 2024 at Lisungwi Community Hospital and Neno District Hospital in Neno, Malawi. A total of 422 caregivers were conveniently sampled, with 248 from Lisungwi and 174 from Neno. Data were collected using a validated pre-tested questionnaire, assessing KAP on hypertension. Descriptive, one-way ANOVA and linear regression statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 22.0. Results: In both Lisungwi and Neno hospitals, the majority of participants were female, accounting for 63.7% and 62.6%, respectively. The mean age of participants was 44.7 years (± 10.3) in Lisungwi and 45.3 years (± 9.3) in Neno, with average care durations of 4.1 years (± 3.3) and 4.2 years (± 3.2). Notably, 94.4% of caregivers at Lisungwi and 94.3% at Neno exhibited poor knowledge of hypertension; however, all caregivers maintained a positive attitude toward its prevention and management. Significant differences in practice scores were observed (p &lt; 0.001), with caregivers in Lisungwi performing better. Additionally, factors such as education, age, and occupation influenced Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) scores, while gender impacted practices alone. Conclusions: The findings of poor knowledge highlight the urgent need for enhanced educational interventions, gender-specific support, community engagement, and a context-specific approach to improve the knowledge and practices of caregivers, which are critical for effective hypertension prevention and management in rural setting.

Zinc adherence among caregivers of under five children with diarrhea in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia

IntroductionZinc with oral re-hydration salt supplementation provides much improved outcomes for managing childhood diarrhea. There is scarcity of evidence in the study area regarding zinc supplementation adherence and factors associated with. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess zinc supplementation adherence and associated factors among caregivers of under five children with diarrhea attending health centers in Gondar City.MethodsAn institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted with 405 caregivers of under-five children with diarrhea who received zinc supplementation in Gondar City health centers. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were computed.Results35% (95% CI: 29.91, 39.21) of caregivers of under five children adhered for zinc supplementation. Adherence was observed among caregivers with good knowledge about zinc supplementation (AOR = 3.01 95%CI = 1.73, 5.24), and who received counseling (AOR = 8.4, 95%CI = 4.66, 15.13), presence of side effects (AOR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.20, 0.65) was negatively associated with zinc supplementation adherence.ConclusionIn the study area, more than one third of children with diarrhea were adhered to zinc supplementation. Thus, improving the knowledge of caregivers and enhancing counseling services on benefits, dosage, duration and side effects of zinc supplementation are vital to improve adherence in the area.

KELANTING INNOVATION (GRAND MOTHER CLASS OF CARE STUNTING ) EDUCATION AND LOCAL FOOD DIVERSIFIED IN PREVENTING STUNTING SIDOBANDUNG, BALEN, BOJONEGORO REGENCY

Nutrition problems are still a concern for the Indonesian government to be resolved immediately, one of which is the problem of stunting. , Bojonegoro Regency's stunting prevalence rate is 23.9 percent, making Bojonegoro the district with the 13th highest stunting prevalence of 38 districts and cities in East Java. The prevalence of stunting which is still quite high can affect Indonesia's development performance because stunting has an impact on children's health status so that children become vulnerable to illness and has an impact on children's intelligence and quality of life, so handling it is still a government priority. The innovation of the KELANTING program (Stunting Caring Grandmother Class) is present by involving academics who act as references for solving problems based on research results (based on research) in the field of midwifery and nursing. So that it is able to increase the understanding of the community, especially grandmother caregivers, so that they are able to carry out care appropriately and get used to it. children to consume foods with balanced contents. The Klanting Program is carried out with Local Food Education and Diversification in Sidobandung Village, Balen District, Bojonegoro Regency" as a pilot project for community-based stunting prevention efforts. This activity is carried out by involving 25 grandmothers who care for toddlers by carrying out outreach and education. After the Klanting activity was carried out, there was an increase in the understanding and knowledge of grandmother caregivers regarding parenting styles and food diversification to prevent stunting, namely 72% of grandmother caregivers after the clanting activity had good knowledge, compared to previously only 28%. This shows that there is an increase in the percentage of understanding and knowledge of grandmothers who care for toddlers about parenting patterns of grandmothers and local food diversification in order to increase toddlers' interest in eating food diversity and the use of local food which can prevent stunting in toddlers.

"I was very scared when I found out my son had sickle cell": Caregiver knowledge and attitudes toward early intervention for young children with sickle cell disease: Implications for policy and practice from a multi-site study.

This study characterized caregivers' beliefs related to early intervention services for children with sickle cell disease (SCD) to gain an indepth understanding of caregivers' experiences and desires for early intervention services. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from caregivers of children aged 0-4years with SCD across two sites in the United States. Caregivers completed the Knowledge of Infant Development Inventory, a custom survey about their experiences with early intervention, and a qualitative interview. A total of 127 caregivers were approached, 47 participated in surveys, and 20 completed interviews. Caregivers expressed varying levels of confidence and understanding of developmental milestones across sites. Interviews highlighted three main themes: fear of SCD-related complications, variable buy-in to early intervention, and the importance of provider-caregiver relationships. While some caregivers appreciated early intervention, others questioned its necessity. Caregivers communicated interest in connecting with other families facing similar challenges, emphasizing the need for increased awareness of available resources. Fear about their child's well-being was expressed by many caregivers, emphasizing the need for a supportive healthcare team that can help families connect with preventive interventions. While about a quarter of children had been referred to rehabilitation services, caregivers were unaware of the elevated risk for developmental delay, which diminished caregiver interest in participating in programs like early intervention. This study underscores the importance of addressing knowledge gaps and overcoming barriers to enhance care for families affected by SCD.

Assessment of Knowledge and Attitude of Asthmatic Patients and Their Caregivers Regarding the Disease Using an Asthma Knowledge Questionnaire in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Chennai.

Introduction Asthma, a significant non-communicable disease impacting all age groups, leads to productivity loss, particularly affecting children and causing disruption within families. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of asthmatic patients and caregivers through questionnaires, focusing on available treatment options. Aims and objectives The study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of asthmatic patients and caregivers at a tertiary care hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Objectives included evaluating asthma knowledge using a questionnaire and assessing attitudes towards the disease and available treatment options. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study, conducted at the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sree Balaji Medical College & Hospital, Chennai, focused on bronchial asthma patients and their caregivers in the Outpatient Department (OPD) from May 2021 to November 2022. The study included 150 participants selected randomly based on sample size calculations. Data, collected through a proforma, included demographic variables. Participants' knowledge and attitudes toward asthma were assessed using the Asthma Knowledge and Asthma Attitude questionnaires. Exclusion criteria comprised patients with a history of tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease, recent hemoptysis, or evidence of infective exacerbation. Results and discussion Among 150 participants, 44% were females and 56% were males. Asthma knowledge was present in 62.1% of females and 79.8% of males, while 37.9% of females and 20.2% of males lacked understanding. High prevalence rates of breathlessness (89.4% females, 90.5% males), wheezing (92.4% females, 81% males), and cough (77.3% females, 75% males) were noted. The knowledge questionnaire revealed a mean score of 4 out of 8, indicating a moderate understanding with significant gaps. Many lacked knowledge about affected sites, harbored misconceptions about pet contact, and dust exposure, and were uninformed about triggers, symptoms, and treatment. Lack of awareness regarding weather-related exacerbations, smoking effects, and medication purposes was evident. Reluctance towards long-term inhaler use underscored the necessity for comprehensive asthma education among patients and caregivers. Attitude questionnaire scores varied: 17 scored 16, 37 scored 18, 24 scored 19, 35 scored 21, 20 scored 24, and 17 scored 26, averaging 20.6, reflecting generally positive attitudes. The attitude questionnaire, with six questions, highlighted attitudes toward asthma. However, stigma around asthma affecting normal lives (77.3%), fear of lifelong medication use (84%), and embarrassment over public inhaler use (74%) highlighted areas for attitude improvement to enhance therapy compliance and patient outcomes. Conclusion Our study highlights concerns among asthma patients and caregivers, particularly those with limited education, regarding treatment side effects. Issues include apprehensions about inhaler therapy's addictive potential, insufficient awareness of asthma triggers, improper inhaler techniques, reluctance towards long-term inhaler use, and embarrassment over public use of inhalers contributing to the study's complexities.

The Effect of Simulation-Based Training on the Hand Hygiene Knowledge and Practices of Palliative Caregivers:A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Single-Center Study.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of simulation-based training on hand hygiene knowledge and practices among palliative caregivers. The study was conducted with 60 caregivers in a palliative care clinic between December 2022 and September 2023. The participants were divided into two groups by simple randomization. The intervention and control groups received the same hand hygiene theoretical education and demonstration. The intervention group also received additional simulation-based hand hygiene practices recommended by the World Health Organization. A pretest-posttest design was used to assess hand hygiene knowledge and practices. Data were collected with personal information, hand hygiene knowledge, and hand hygiene practice forms. Analysis of covariance was performed to compare posttest scores between the groups. Simulation-based hand hygiene training programs offer an effective and feasible strategy to improve the hand hygiene knowledge and practices of caregivers. It should be integrated into clinical areas to increase palliative caregivers' hand hygiene knowledge and practices. Evidence-based practices can be improved by increasing randomized controlled studies on the effectiveness of simulation-based hand hygiene training for caregivers. Trial Registration: The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with registration number NCT05848596.

The impact of coronavirus pandemic shutdowns on immunization completion in Hadeetha, Anbar, Iraq: A case-study of vaccine completion in a recovering healthcare system

The SARS-COV2 pandemic caused significant disruptions in immunization delivery. Baseline deficit gaps in immunization completion exacerbated ongoing disparities in immunization coverage in low- and middle-income. Emerging reports focused on global strategies for return to routine immunization schedules. Currently, there are no studies that examined the dual challenge of returning to normal immunization in a conflict-recovery setting, such as the ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) occupation of Iraq post-COVID-19 pandemic.The objective of this study was to estimate the number of children in Hadeetha, Iraq from 12 to 24 months of age who continued to be lost to the routine immunization schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns. Random sampling occurred from a compiled district health facility registrar of all children in the target birth cohort who had a 12-month immunization scheduled during the 2020 lockdown and were lost to the immunization schedule. A total of 171 households from the sampling frame were included in the final sample. In this cross-sectional study, survey data was collected on the head of the household, the caregiver and the child. Additional questions assessed vaccine hesitancy, vaccine information trusted sources and COVID-19 impact on healthcare access. A risk factor analysis was applied to assess using Chi-square (Χ2) for predictors of lack of DTP3 (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio) third dose completion. Of children in the study, 67.3 % did not complete the 6-antigen series at 12-months of age and 46.2 % were missing DTP3 for vaccines to be completed during the pandemic shutdown. Specific risk factors for lack of immunization for the DTP3 vaccine included area of residence, age and caregiver knowledge of vaccines. Respondents indicated a dependence on mass vaccination campaigns but also indicated a willingness to receive phone reminders and television campaigns about vaccination schedules.