Effect of Maternal Empowerment Training on Frequency of Gastrointestinal Complications in Children Undergoing Chemotherapy

Abstract

Background: Given the high prevalence of chemotherapy complications, it is essential to try limiting the side effects in order to prevent reduced quality of life in cancer patients, particularly children. The present study aimed to determine effect of maternal empowerment training on gastrointestinal complications in children undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: This clinical trial study was performed on mothers with children under 12 years undergoing chemotherapy at the Bahrami Children's Hospital in Tehran (Iran) in 2017. Forty mothers were enrolled in the study via convenience sampling. The subjects were then randomly assigned to an intervention (n=20) and a control group (n=20). Data were collected using a checklist on gastrointestinal complications at baseline and two, four and eight weeks after the last training session. Statistical analysis of data was performed in SPSS 16. Results: The frequency of gastrointestinal complications reduced significantly after the training in the intervention group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the frequency of gastrointestinal complications before and after the intervention in the control group (P>0.05). After the training, the frequency of gastrointestinal complications was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group. Conclusion: The empowerment program could help improve mothers’ knowledge about chemotherapy and associated complications, thereby reducing the frequency