Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among Mothers of Celiac Disease Children in Gaza Strip
Date
2022-12-30
Authors
Mahmoud Issam Shehda Abu Eida
محمود عصام شحدة أبو عيدة
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Al-Quds University
Abstract
Celiac disease (CD) is a major public health problem in the developed and developing worlds, it is one of the most common lifelong disorders affecting the general population around the world, and has spread widely over the past 20 years.CD is a complex autoimmune disease that results from the ingestion of gluten (found in grains including wheat, rye, and barley) in genetically predisposed individuals.This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among mothers of CD children in the Gaza Strip. The study design wasquantitative, descriptive cross-sectional investigation. A convenient sample of 174 mothers of children with CD was selected to participate in the study. The sample consisted of 120 mothers of children with CD who attended the Ard El Insan Association in Gaza and 54 mothers of children with CD who attended the Ard El Insan Association in Khan Yunis. A questionnaire was constructed and data was collected by the researcher through a face-to-face interview with mothers of children with CD.The study results revealed that the total mean for participants’ knowledge was 26.12 out of 39 with a mean percentage of 66.99%, which is below the median score (67.94), which is considered not satisfactory. The mean score of attitudes regarding CD is 4.25 out of 5.0, which considered a positive attitude, while the mean score of their practices is 3.42 out of 4.0 (85.5%). Also, the results revealed that there are no significant differences in the mean level of total participants’ knowledge regarding CD with regard to their age groups, residence, income, number of family members, number of children in the family, marital status, employment, and having other children with CD (p>0.05). On the other hand, there is a significant difference in the mean level of total participants’ knowledge regarding CD with regard to their educational level (p<0.05). On the other hand, there is a significant difference in the mean level of total participants’ attitudes regarding CD with regard to their residence (p<0.05). On the other hand, there is a significant difference in the mean level of total participants’ attitudes regarding CD with regard to having other children with CD (p<0.05). Also, the results revealed that there is a significant positive week relationship between participants’ attitude and their practices regarding CD (p<0.05). Meaning that with an increase in the level of participants’ attitude, their level of practice will increase. On the other hand, there is no significant relationship between participants’ knowledge and their practices regarding CD (p>0.05), and there is no significant relationship between participants’ knowledge and their attitude regarding CD (p>0.05).The study concluded that the mothers of children with CD in the Gaza Strip have a low level of knowledge regarding CD. The researcher recommends conducting health education sessions for the mothers of children with CD. Additionally, training workshops are needed to enhance mothers’ practices regarding CD and how to prevent complications of the disease.
Key words:Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, and Celiac Disease