Assessment of Mother's Knowledge and Practice among Primary School Child with Down Syndrome

Abdelhamied, Samah Salah; Mostafa, Manal Mansour; Ibrahim, Amany Abdelaziz; Abo ElMaaty, Ola Hussein

doi:10.21608/tsnj.2025.464023

Assessment of Mother's Knowledge and Practice among Primary School Child with Down Syndrome

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ 1Demonstrator of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Fayoum University, Egypt

² Professor of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Fayoum University, Egypt

³ 2Professor of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Fayoum University, Egypt

⁴ Assistant Professor of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Fayoum University, Egypt.

10.21608/tsnj.2025.464023

Abstract

Background: Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder characterized by intellectual impairment and physical abnormalities caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. The support and nurturing provided by mothers are vital for the health and happiness of children with Down syndrome. Aim of this study: to assess mother's knowledge and practice among mothers of Down syndrome children in primary school . Design: A descriptive study design was consumed. Setting: The study was directed at three special needs schools, including two branches of Altarbih EL fikria and El shahid Mohamed Youssef at Fayoum governorate. Sample: A purposive sample was consumed; there were 70 mothers and their children. Tools: Tool I: The structured interviewing questionnaire includes 3 parts: Part 1, socio-demographic characteristics for mothers and their children, Part 2, family and medical history for mothers and their children, Part 3, and mothers' knowledge concerning Down syndrome. Tool II: Assessing mothers’ practices regarding the care of their children with Down syndrome. Tool III: Mothers' needs for caring for their children suffering from Down syndrome. Results: The findings discovered that 61.4% of mothers had in acceptable total knowledge regarding Down syndrome; total, 47.1% of mothers reported consistently applying supportive caregiving practices, and 60% of mothers had a high level of total needs. Conclusion: Statistical analysis showed a strong positive correlation between knowledge and practice but a significant negative correlation with total needs. Recommendation: Apply directed educational programs to help mothers learn more about how to care for their children.