THE EFFECT OF EDUCATION ON THE EMPOWERMENT OF MOTHERS ON THE PREVENTION OF ORAL MUCOSAL INFLAMMATION IN CHILDREN UNDERGOING CHEMOTHERAPY

Mucositis is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy that affects the
acceptance and continuation of treatment by the patient. Therefore, recognition of this complication and
ways of preventing it in improving the course of treatment and preventing repeated hospitalization and
survival these patients are helpful. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of maternal
empowerment training on the prevention of oral mucosal inflammation in children under chemotherapy.
Materials & Method: This clinical trial study was performed on 40 mothers of children aged 1 to 12
years old under chemotherapy in two case and control groups at Tehran Bahrami Hospital in 1396.
Mothers who were admitted to the study were selected randomly and randomly assigned to 20 subjects
in the case group and 20 subjects in the control group. In the case group, the necessary training was done
in 5 steps according to the clinical guidelines in accordance with the empowerment model in 4 steps.
The instruments used in this study were demographic information questionnaire and a checklist of signs
and symptoms of acute and common complications of chemotherapy in children. The reliability of the
checklist was considered to be 0.88 using Cronbach's alpha. Data were collected from a researcher-made
checklist in 3 stages of the second, fourth and eighth weeks after the intervention. Data were analyzed
using SPSS 22.
Results: The mean of the complication of oral mucosal inflammation after the intervention in the case
group was less than the control group. The mean incidence of oral mucosal inflammation before
intervention, second, fourth and eighth weeks after intervention was 1.55 ± 1.73, 0.27 ± 1.32.0.23 ±
1.57, 0.18 ± 1.55. The results of Cochran test showed a significant reduction in the incidence of oral
mucosal inflammation in the post-intervention period (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in
the incidence of oral mucosal inflammation in the control group before and after the intervention
(P>0.05) ) Also, the comparison of the case and control groups with regard to the incidence of oral
mucosal inflammation showed that the oral mucosal inflammation in the case group was less than the
control group.
Conclusion: Empowerment program can help mothers to discover reality, increase their knowledge and
ability, skills and critical thinking, thus preventing the complication of oral mucosal inflammation in
children undergoing chemotherapy and have a significant role in self-care independently.. It can be used
in other chronic diseases of children