Discharge Plan for Mothers to Cope With Their Children Suffering From Bronchial Asthma

Abstract

Asthma is the most common chronic childhood disease that can have significantly negative effect on children and their families. Aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a discharge plan on mothers to cope with their children suffering from bronchial asthma. Design: A quasi experimental design was used. Setting: The study was carried out at the Pediatric Emergency Department in Children's Hospital, affiliated to Ain Shams University Hospitals. Subjects: A purposive sample composed of 58 mothers accompanying their children suffering from bronchial asthma who were admitted in the previously mentioned setting over a 6 month period were recruited. Tools: It included; a pre-designed interviewing questionnaire, observation checklist, parenting stress index, and coping health inventory for parents. Results: More than three quarters of the studied mothers had unsatisfactory total knowledge about bronchial asthma pre implementation of the discharge plan compared to slightly less than three quarters of them had satisfactory total knowledge post implementation with a statistically significant difference. As well, mothers’ practices and coping patterns were statistically improved post implementation of the discharge plan. Moreover, mothers' stress levels were significantly decrease post implementation. Conclusion: It can be concluded that, the discharge plan led to significant improvements in mothers’ knowledge and practices as well as coping patterns and decrease in stress level regarding care of their children suffering from bronchial asthma. Recommendations: Discharge plan for all mothers having children suffering from bronchial asthma should be conducted in emergency department, inpatient and outpatient clinics.