A Study to Assess the Awareness Regarding Neutropenia Home Care Needs among Caregivers of Children with Leukemia Attending Oncology Units, at Aims, Kochi

Introduction: Leukemia is the most common malignancy of children with a prevalence of 129 in one million, and the second cause of death among children aged 5 to 14 years. Most of the children have chance to develop neutropenia during their treatment period.

Methods: The approach used for the study was quantitative approach using descriptive research design. The study was conducted among 30 caregivers of children with leukemia who met the eligibility criteria following non probability convenience sampling technique with an objectives to assess the awareness regarding neutropenia home care needs among caregivers of children with leukemia, and to find out association between level of awareness among caregivers and selected demographic  variables.

Findings: The researcher found that most of the caregivers (86.7%) had average knowledge and 13.3% had good knowledge regarding neutropenia home care needs.  Most of the caregivers have more knowledge in diet pattern ( mean percentage 73.3%) such as preparing meal, storage, and do’s and do not’s consumption of food. Half of the caregivers had less knowledge among physical or physiological needs and personal hygiene. Duration of illness had shown statistically significant association at p<0.005 level (p= 0.017) with level of awareness regarding neutropenia home care needs among caregivers of children with leukemia.

Conclusion: Researcher concluded that most of the caregivers had average knowledge and each one had different views about their child’s care.