Effect of Gastrostomy Tube Feeding Education on Parents of Children with Gastrostomy

Success in long-term enteral feeding is, in part, dependent on careful selection of the appropriate enteral access device and placement technique together with proper maintenance and care. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of education on satisfaction with gastrostomy tube feeding, quality of life, caregiver burden, and anxiety.

A quasi-experimental, pretest and posttest research design without a control group was used. A total 78 mothers were included in the study. The child and parent data form, Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale, Satisfaction Questionnaire with Gastrostomy Feeding (SAGA-8), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), 36-Item Short-Form quality-of-life scale (SF-36), complication control form, and the gastrostomy care skill assessment checklist were used.

There was a significant decrease in participants' burden as caregivers (anxiety, P < .001) and a significant increase in positive outcomes in caregivers' satisfaction with gastrostomy feeding and in the physical component summary and mental component summary scores (P < .05). Posteducation, the mean score of subdimensions showed increases (P < .05).

The intervention increased positive outcomes and decreased negative outcomes for caregivers during the first 3 months postgastrostomy placement.