Caregivers’ level of knowledge and home- based practices for prevention of Sickle cell disease related complications among children attending Mnazi mmoja hospital in Zanzibar

Family hardiness among primary caregivers of breast cancer patients in Hunan Province: a cross-sectional study exploring the relationship with attachment and caregiver preparedness

Background

Family hardiness is a key variable contributing to positive family functioning, which has significant effects on the quality of life and the mental health of patientsand caregivers. The factors that contribute to family hardiness support both the psychological and physical well-being of caregivers is unknown. More specifically, the relationship of family hardiness with attachment and caregiver preparedness has not been explored.

Aim

The current study aimed to investigate the family hardiness in caregivers of breast cancer patients and explore the relationship with attachment and caregiver preparedness and identify the associated factors.

Methods

This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted from March to July, 2022. 140 caregivers of breast cancer patients were recruited in two IIIA-grade hospitals in Hunan Province using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a personal characteristics questionnaire, The Family Hardiness Index (FHI), Caregiver Preparedness Scale (CPS), and the Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory-Revised Edition (ECR-R). Chi-square, Pearson's correlation coefficient, generalized additive model and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results

A total of 140 caregivers participated in the study. The mean age of participants was (42.29 ± 14.54) years and most of them were male (57.1%). The mean FHI score of caregivers was 58.11 ± 5.67. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that family hardiness is affected by ECR-R, CPS, education level, and knowledge of breast cancer. The score of CPS was positively associated with family hardiness (β = 0.265, p < 0.001), whereas ECR-R negatively predicted family hardiness (β = -0.078, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Family hardiness plays a critical role in helping caregivers manage the stresses associated with providing care to breast cancer patients. Enhancing caregiver preparedness and education, as well as addressing attachment-related issues, can significantly improve family hardiness. In light of our findings, we suggest that closer relationships within families, adding preparedness and knowledge of disease should be encouraged during the care of breast cancer patients.

Knowledge and nutrition-related practices among caregivers of adolescents with sickle cell disease in the Greater Accra region of Ghana

BACKGROUND

Due to its severe adverse effect on child mortality, sickle cell disease (SCD) has been identified as a set of diseases of public health concern. The high mortality rate among children with SCD in Africa has been attributed to several factors including sub-optimal management and care. This study documented the nutrition-related knowledge and practices of caregivers of teenagers who suffer from sickle cell disease (SCD) to inform decisions on integrated management of the disease.

METHODS

The study included caregivers (n = 225) of adolescents with SCD who attended clinic at selected hospitals in Accra, Ghana. Pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was employed in the gathering of information related to general and nutrition-related knowledge about SCD, as well as data on their nutrition-related practices with regards to their children who suffer from SCD. Pearson's Chi-square test and binary logistic regression analyses were applied to explore the relationship between caregivers' nutrition-related knowledge and practice.

RESULTS

Nutrition-related knowledge among the caregivers studied was low, with less than a third of them (29.3%) of the sample being classified as having good knowledge. Caregivers who considered nutrition care when the child experienced crises were few (21.8%), and those with low nutrition-related knowledge were less likely to do this compared with caregivers having high knowledge (OR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.18, 0.78). The common nutrition actions reported were the provision of more fruits/fruit juices (36.5%) and warm fluids such as soups and teas (31.7%). More than a third of the caregivers (38.7%) admitted that they faced challenges in caring for their adolescents with SCD, particularly in the area of finance for the needed health care.

CONCLUSION

Our study findings indicate that it is important to incorporate appropriate nutrition education messages for caregivers as part of a holistic management of SCD.

Sickle Cell Disease in Children: Knowledge and Home-Based Management Strategies among Caregivers at a Tertiary Facility in Northern Ghana

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a serious genetic and inherited disorder. It has a physical, psychological, and socioeconomic impact on affected individuals including children and families. Globally, about 275,000 children are born annually with SCD, with an estimated 85% of these births being in Africa. In Ghana, an estimated 2% of infants that were screened were affected by SCD. Although extensive studies have been conducted on the burden on parents of children with SCD, little is known about how parents manage the disease among their children at home in our setting. This qualitative study explored the knowledge of caregivers of children with SCD, how they recognize/monitor complications of the disease and management strategies at home. An explorative qualitative study using the nonprobability purposive method was used to interview fourteen (14) caregivers of children with SCD who were recruited from the Tamale Teaching Hospital. In-depth interviews using an interview guide was used. A tape recorder was used to record each interview yielding a total of fourteen (14) audios. Audiotapes were transcribed verbatim. Data collected during these interviews were analyzed using inductive thematic content analysis. Caregivers have adequate knowledge of the signs and symptoms of SCD, its complications, and the various types their children have but fall short of knowledge on the cause of SCD. Knowledge acquired on SCD does not translate into caregivers’ ability to effectively identify and monitor crises or complications at home. Home management strategies used by caregivers’ were both pharmacological and nonpharmacological, and some used the combination to manage pain and monitor the health of their children. Even though the majority have used traditional medicine before, they prefer orthodox interventions which they consider more effective.