An Individualized Educational Package for Improving Knowledge and Practices of Caregivers of Patients with Spinal Cord Injury: A Quasiexperimental Study

Abstract

Introduction Globally, traumatic spinal cord injury occurs at a rate of 13 to 53 cases per million populations. These patients tend to get dependent on hospital staff as well as caregivers for their activities of daily living. There are insufficient data available on whether the caregivers have adequate knowledge and required skills to perform the same. Aim Our aim was to evaluate the impact of an individualized educational package on the knowledge and practices of caregivers of patients with spinal cord injury. Methods The caregivers (n = 30) were recruited in the quasi-experimental study by using a nonequivalent, control group design using the TREND checklist. Study subjects were divided into two groups, that is, control and experimental. The intervention was delivered through an educational package in the experimental group, and no intervention was given to the control group. The educational package was delivered by dedicated registered nurse. Ethical approval was taken from the ethical committee, and informed consent was obtained from the study participants. Data were analyzed using STATA version 16 and SPSS version 20. Result The mean age of patients was 34.6 + 2.7 years, and majority (90%) were males. The most common cause of spinal cord injury was fall from height in 53.3% patients followed by road traffic accidents in 36.6% patients. The mean posttest knowledge score (30.7 + 8.6) of subjects in the experimental group was significantly higher than the control group (18.4 + 5.3). Also, the mean posttest practice score (54.3 + 9) of subjects in the experimental group was significantly higher than the control group (35.9 + 6.8). Conclusion Educating caregivers (relatives) can dramatically improve the quality of life of patients as well as prevent complications and rehospitalizations. A dedicated nurse educator should be posted in spinal cord injury wards to deliver such educational packages.