Mothers' Awareness Regarding Radiotherapy among their Children Having Cancer at Children's Cancer Hospital (57357)

Abstract

Radiotherapy is an important part of cancer treatment, more than half of all people with cancer get radiotherapy as at least part of their cancer treatment. A descriptive study design was used aiming to assess mothers' awareness regarding radiotherapy among their children having cancer. Setting: The study was conducted at Out-Patient in radiotherapy department affiliated to Children's Cancer Hospital (57357). Sampling One hundred fourty three children receiving radiotherapy were included in the study. Tools: for data collection two tools were used, A-A structure interviewing questionnaire for the mothers; include four parts Characteristics of children and their accompanying mothers, Mothers' knowledge about radiotherapy, Child needs and problems, mothers' reported practices regarding care of their children receiving radiotherapy. B- medical record pre and post radiotherapy assessment sheet utilized in children cancer hospital Egypt at (Radiotherapy Department) used to assess child health status Results: The study showed that the mean age of the studied children was 8±4.4, 26.2 % of them aged between 3 to less than 6 years. Also 57.7% of them were males 70.8% lived in rural and 33.8% were enrolled in primary schools and 39.2% had the diagnosis of brain tumor Conclusion: based on findings of the current study, it can be concluded, there was unsatisfactory knowledge and practices level for mothers' regarding their children receiving radiotherapy. there was a statistically significant relation between total mothers' knowledge, practice and their educational level, residence and there was positive correlation between total mothers' knowledge regarding radiotherapy and total mothers' practice regarding their child receiving radiotherapy with (r=0.267 at p ≤ 0.002) respectively. Recommendations: This study recommended that provide relevant programs and materials to increase mothers 'knowledge and practices regarding radiotherapy