Assessment of Caregivers’ Knowledge about Medications and Medical Conditions by Time of Discharge in the Paediatric Department at University Teaching Hospital of Zambia
Keywords:
Caregiver, Discharge, Medications, Medical Counselling, Medical Condition
Abstract
Discharge is a period of transition from hospital to home that transfers responsibilities from the inpatient health care providers to patients and primary Caregivers. The study assessed Caregivers’ Knowledge about medications and medical conditions by the time their paediatric patients are discharged. A Cross-Sectional Study was carried out at University Teaching Hospital, paediatric department in Lusaka city of Zambia. A total of 369 caregivers were assessed on the level of knowledge about their discharged paediatric patients’ medical conditions and medications using data collected by a Pre-Tested Interview administered questionnaire. A knowledge index was developed, representing the number of correct answers. Chi-square test analysis was used to indicate the significance of the results. Most Caregivers were married (78.8%),Parents (82.2%), Unemployed(57.7%) with Primary level of Education (45.5%).The study found that 35.5% were very knowledgeable,27.6% had average knowledge, and 36.9 % were not knowledgeable about Medical conditions. 16.5% were very knowledgeable,35.5% were averagely knowledgeable, and 48.5 were not knowledgeable about Medications. The overall knowledge about Medical condition and Medications was poor, with only 11.9% very knowledgeable,35.5% average knowledgeable and 52.6% not knowledgeable. Study of Pearson Chi-square reviewed that there is a statistically significant association between Age(P=0.000), Gender(P=0.023), Duration of Hospital stay(0.000), of education (0.000), Occupation (0.000) and Relationship of Caregiver (0.002) to the level of knowledge. Generally, Caregivers were not knowledgeable about Medical conditions and Medications of their paediatric patients. However, the study findings indicated that Caregivers were more knowledgeable about medical conditions than medications. Female parent caregivers are more likely to be knowledgeable than male Caregivers. Similarly, those who stay longer in hospital, with a high level of education, and health workers are likely to be knowledgeable.References
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2. Bucher, J., Loscalzo, M., Zabora J., et al. (2000): Problem-solving Cancer Care Education for Patients and Caregivers. Cancer Pract ;9(2):66-70.
3. Lee, N.C., Wasson, D.R., Anderson, M.A., Stone, S., Gittings, J.A. (1998): A Survey of Patient Education Post-discharge. J Nursing Care Quality 13:63–70.
4. Gilhar, D., Levy, M. (1987): Patients’ Knowledge of Medication Prescribed on Discharge from Hospital. Harefuah; 112:488–90.
5. Pronovost, P., Weast, B., Schwarz, M. (2003): Medication Reconciliation: A Practical Tool to Reduce the Risk of Medication Errors. J Crit Care. 18(4):201-205.
6. Coates, V.E., (1999): Education for Patients and Clients. London: Routledge;
7. Locke, R., Stefano, M., Koster, A., Taylor, B., Greenspan, J. (2011): Optimising Patient/ Caregiver Satisfaction Through Quality of Communication in the Paediatric Emergency Department. PaediatrEmerg Care 27(11):1016–1021.
8. Cook, R.I., Render, M., Woods, D.D. (2000): Gaps in the Continuity of Care and Progress on Patient Safety. BMJ; 320: 791–4.
9. Gray, S.L., Mahoney, J.E., Blough, D.K. (2001) Medication Adherence in Elderly Patients Receiving Home Health Services Following Hospital Discharge. Ann Pharmacother; 35: 539–45.
10. Smith, P., Andrews, J. (1983): Drug Compliance Not So Bad, Knowledge Not So Good – The Elderly After Hospital Discharge. Age Ageing 12: 336–42.
11. Bero, L.A., Lipton, H.L., Bird, J.A. (1991): Characterisation of Geriatric Drug-Related Hospital Readmissions. Med Care. 29: 989–1003.
12. Egger, S.S., Drewe, J., Schlienger, R.G. (2003): Potential Drug-drug Interactions in the Medication of Medical Patients at Hospital Discharge. Eur J Clin Pharmacol; 58: 773–8.
13. Hana, K., Orna, B. E., Orly, T. (2005): What Do Discharge Patients Know About Their Medication Patient Education and Counselling 56 (2005) 276–282
14. Aldrin, A., Dung, D., Himanshu, K.S., Sangeeta, K., Meena, G., Monali, R.,Gaurav, R.(2009): Knowledge, Attitude and Perception of Caregivers of Children with Epilepsy. Delhi Psychiatry Journal 12 no.2
15. Neeta, P., Lexley, M., Pinto, P., Prabhakar, P. (2004): Caregivers’ Practices, Knowledge and Beliefs of Antibiotics in Pediatric Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Trinidad and Tobago. BMC FamyPract5:28.
Published
2020-09-30
How to Cite
1.
Bowa P, Mungo T, Yassa Y. Assessment of Caregivers’ Knowledge about Medications and Medical Conditions by Time of Discharge in the Paediatric Department at University Teaching Hospital of Zambia. Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences [Internet]. 30Sep.2020 [cited 27Aug.2025];4(3):10-6. Available from: https://journals.unza.zm/index.php/JABS/article/view/385
Section
Biomedical Sciences
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