Evaluation of a caregiver education program: home oxygen therapy for infants.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured education program for increasing caregiver knowledge of infants discharged on home oxygen therapy.


METHODS
The study used a one-group pretest-posttest design with recruitment of subjects between May 1988 and May 1989.


METHODS
All subjects were primary caregivers of infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia who were discharged from a tertiary-care center. Eighteen caregivers of 10 infants entered and completed the study.


METHODS
The education program included a booklet, videotape, and practical session. A pretest was administered immediately before the caregiver entered the program, and a posttest was administered immediately after caregiver completion of the program. A delayed posttest was administered 6 weeks after the infant's discharge from the hospital.


METHODS
The difference between the mean scores on the pretest and posttest.


RESULTS
Posttest scores were significantly higher than pretest scores (t = 4.22; p < .01).


CONCLUSIONS
The significant difference between the pretest and posttest scores was due to the education program. The effects of history and maturation on posttest scores were minimal.
Brown
K A
KA
McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Sauve
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RS
D000328:Adult; D000416:Alberta; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000628:therapy; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education*