Effect of nursing instructions for mothers on selected cast outcomes among their infants with congenital clubfoot

Abstract

Congenital clubfoot is a complex deformity that is readily apparent at birth and affects the muscles, ligaments, bones and joints of the developing foot and ankle. Aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of nursing instructions for mothers on selected cast outcomes among their infants having congenital clubfoot. In order to represent the current research, the design of quasi-experimental was implemented. The study was conducted in the orthopedic out-patient clinic in the Cairo University Specialized Pediatric Hospital (CUSPH). Purposive sample of 60 mothers of infants with clubfoot was participated in the current study; mothers and their children were split into two equal groups: 30 as a control group and 30 as a study group. The data was collected using the following tools: structured interview questionnaire, mother's knowledge and practices assessment questionnaire (pre/posttest), recording cast complications sheet and selected cast outcomes assessment sheet. The results revealed that, there were statistically significant differences between total mean score of mother's knowledge and practices in the study group after receiving the nursing instructions than mothers in the control group. Infants in the study group exposed to less cast complications and better outcomes than infants in the control group. The result concluded that, the mothers in the study group who received nursing instructions had a higher overall mean score of clubfoot knowledge and practices rather than a control group. As well as the infants of the mothers who received the nursing instructions there were fewer complications of casting and better outcomes.