Knowledge, Attitude And Expectation of Mothers of Children With Neurologic Disorders Attending The Paediatric Neurology Clinic, University Of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The high rate of default from follow up clinic by children with chronic neurological disorders and shopping around from one place to another in search of a cure by their mothers may be as a result of ignorance concerning the diagnosis, cause and prognosis of these disorders. The ignorance of mothers may be as result of lack of adequate information from medical personnel at time of initial consultation.
Objectives: To assess mothers whose children were referred to the paediatric neurology clinic to determine what they know and feel about the cause, management, prognosis and their expectation regarding the disorders.
Study design and methods: The study was conducted between January 7th 2004 and December 8th 2004 in the paediatric neurology clinic of University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria using a semi-structured questionnaire. Responses were aggregated and expressed as simple percentages and analyzed using SPSS 10.0 for windows.
Results: One hundred and ten mothers aged between 21 and 65 years were recruited. 21.8%, 19.1% and 23.6% knew the cause, diagnosis and outcome respectively while 30% had diagnosis explained. Over 70% of the mothers had negative attitude toward their children being seen in public. All the mothers expected cure while 98.2% were willing to share their experience with other mothers.
Conclusion: Majority of the mothers lack adequate information about possible cause, diagnosis and outcome of their children\'s neurological disorder at referral. Willingness of almost all mothers to share experience with others provides opportunity for group therapy and formation of support groups

Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Expectation, Mothers, Children, Neurological Disorders

Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Research Vol. 5 (1&2) 2007: pp. 59-65