Effect of Educational Guidelines Program about COVID-19 Precautions on Children and Their Caregivers

Ahmed, Shimaa Ramadan; Maklad, Samar Ahmed; Elsharkawy, Mai Hassan Hassan

doi:10.21608/menj.2023.313210

Effect of Educational Guidelines Program about COVID-19 Precautions on Children and Their Caregivers

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Fellow (lecturer) of pediatric Nursing, Tanta University Hospitals, Tanta University

² Lecturer of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University

³ Lecturer of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University

10.21608/menj.2023.313210

Abstract

Background: One of the most impactful communicable diseases present today is COVID-19.Children are one of the groups of society vulnerable to infection with the Corona virus. Hence, awareness programs about COVID-19 precaution guidelines for children and their caregivers may play an important role in reducing the spread of infection. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of educational guidelines program about COVID-19 precautions on knowledge and practices of children and their caregivers. Research Design: A quasi-experimental research design was utilized (pre and posttest). Setting: The study was conducted at pediatric outpatient clinic of Tanta Main University Hospital which includes Hematology, Chest, Neurology, Renal, Hepatic, Genetic, Endocrinal and Diabetes Departments. Sample: A purposive sampling approach of sixty children between 8-15 years of age and their caregivers were included from the previously mentioned setting. Two tools of data collection were used (Children and their Caregivers structured interview and Children and their Caregivers reported practice checklist). Results: the total mean score of children and their caregivers regarding knowledge and practice about COVID-19 and its precaution guidelines had improved after the program implementation with positive correlation between children's caregivers and children's knowledge and practice pre and post educational guidelines program. Conclusion: children and caregivers who received the educational guidelines program regarding COVID-19 and its precaution guidelines had higher levels of knowledge and practices on posttest than pretest. Recommendations: Continuous educational and awareness programs about COVID-19 and precaution guidelines must be provided periodically to help children and their caregivers to improve their knowledge and practice, therefore limit spread of infection.

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