Abstract:
This study was based on a quasi-experimental research design aimed at examining the effects of a teaching program on knowledge and behavior of caregivers to promote nutrition in children with acyanotic congenital heart disease during their first year. The sample was composed of caregivers of children with acyanotic congenital heart disease aged 6 - 12 months who were waiting for total repair surgery and were treated at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health. The sample was selected by convenience sampling and divided into a control group and an experimental group with 26 subjects each. The control group received routine care only, and the experimental group received the teaching program developed by the researcher using Orem's Educative and Supportive Nursing System as the conceptual framework (Orem, 2001). Data were collected using the knowledge questionnaire and the behavior in feeding children with acyanotic congenital heart disease questionnaire. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA. According to the findings, the caregivers in the experimental group had higher mean scores for knowledge in feeding children with acyanotic congenital heart disease than the caregivers in the control group with statistical significance (F = 5.288,p < .05). In addition, the caregivers in the experimental group had a higher mean score for behavior in feeding children with acyanotic congenital heart disease than those in the control group with statistical significance (F = 4.295, p < .05). Thus, it was indicated that the teaching program is effective in improving caregivers's knowledge and behavior toimprove the nutrition of children with acyanotic congenital heart disease during their first year of life. Furthermore, the program should be implemented to instruct caregivers of children with acyanotic congenital heart disease in order to ensure that children receive proper care and better nutrition, maintain better health, without complications, and be prepared for surgery according to treatment plans