Family Empowerment Model for Parents Having Children with Epilepsy.

Abstract

Background: Family empowerment model helps parents of children with epilepsy recognize the deficiencies, feel enough power in order to change the situation and able to obtain information, receive support and promote life skills. Aim of study: Was to assess family empowerment model for parents having children with epilepsy. Research design: A descriptive research design was utilized to conduct this study. Setting: The study was conducted at Outpatient Clinic (Neurology Clinic) affiliated to Benha University Hospital in Benha City. Sample: Simple random sample was used in this study and the total sample size was 172. Tools of data collection: Two tools were used; Tool I: A structured interviewing questionnaire was used to assess (a) demographic characteristics of parents and their children, (b) medical history of children, (c) knowledge of parents, and (d) parents reported practices regarding care of children with epilepsy. Tool II: Family Empowerment Scale that consisted of 34 items in three domains, family, health service, and community participation. Results: 49.4% of the studied parents' aged from 35 to less than 50 years old with mean age was 38.38±10.50 years and 57 of them were female. 37.2 % of the studied children aged from 10 to less than or equal 14 years old with mean age 8.27±4.25 years old. 26.1% of the studied parents' had a good total knowledge regarding epilepsy, 63.4% of studied parents' had satisfactory total reported practices and 28.5% of the studied parents had high total family empowerment level regarding their children with epilepsy. Conclusions: There was positive correlation between total knowledge, total practices and total family empowerment among studied parents. Recommendations: Health educational programs should be developed and implemented for parents to educate them with the most current information and proper practices regarding epilepsy.