Caregivers’ Empowerment regarding Care of their Children with Thalassemia.

Background: Caregivers’ empowerment is important to bolster trust and positive adaptability, instilling hope and helping caregivers regain a sense of control over their lives. The aim of this study was to assess caregivers’ empowerment regarding care of their children with thalassemia. Research design: Descriptive research design was utilized in this study. Setting: This study was carried out at Out-Patient Clinic of Benha Specialized Pediatric Hospital in Benha City. Sample: Purposive sample was used in this study; the total sample included 62 caregivers. Tools: Two tools were used I): An interviewing questionnaire which consisted of four parts to assess a): Demographic characteristics of caregivers and personal data of children with thalassemia b): Medical history of children, c): Knowledge of caregivers regarding thalassemia and empowerment, d): Reported practices of caregivers regarding care of their children. II): Empowerment scale that included three dimensions: Family, child services and community that include social and political services. Results: 56.5% of caregivers aged from 30 -40 years, 66.1 % of them had secondary education. 54.8% of the studied caregivers had average total knowledge regarding thalassemia and empowerment, 62.9% of caregivers had satisfactory reported practices regarding care of their children with thalassemia and 46.8% of the studied caregivers had low total empowerment level regarding thalassemia. Conclusion: There was a positive statistically significant correlation between the studied caregivers’ total knowledge, total reported practices regarding thalassemia and their total empowerment. Recommendations: Health educational program should be developed and implemented for caregivers to educate them about thalassemia, prevention of complications, physical activity and psychological practices which include (social, spiritual) health for caregivers’ children with thalassemia.