To Assess the Knowledge and Practice of Home Care Regarding Post Craniotomy Care among Caregivers of Craniotomy Patients

BACKGROUND After the initial phase of hospitalization and recovery, most patients return to home to live in community with numerous physical, psychological, mental, social, and spiritual health disabilities. Those conditions prohibit the individual from participating in the community independently and efficiently. Around three fourths of patients tend to receive help from family members for daily living activities. So, family caregivers play a significant part, since they bear a large portion of the cost of home care. The aim of this research was to assess the knowledge and practices among the caregivers of post craniotomy patients regarding home care of craniotomy patients. METHODS A descriptive exploratory study was undertaken on 36 purposively selected caregivers of patients undergoing craniotomy in Wardha district. Data were collected by using structured questionnaire and observational checklist during the month June 2020. RESULTS Awareness level with age in craniotomy-patient care givers years was assessed. 'F' value was 2.84 (DF = 3, 32), lower than measured 'F' i.e. 8.03 at a significant point of 5 %. Also, the measured 'p' = 0.0001 which was slightly less than the appropriate significance point. Hence, it is perceived that age is statistically correlated with their information score in years of craniotomy caregiver's patients. Knowledge level with the educational status of craniotomy-patient caregivers was assessed. 'F' value was 2.53 (DF = 5.30), lower than 'F' meaning level of 5.30 at 5 %. Even the measured 'p' = 0.001 was slightly lower than the appropriate significance point. Therefore, it is perceived that the educational status of craniotomy patient's caregivers is statistically correlated with their knowledge score. Knowledge score with the occupation of caregivers of craniotomy patients was assessed. 'F' value was 2.61 (DF = 4, 31), far lower 'F' i.e. 4.92 at a significance point of 5 %. Furthermore, the measured 'p' = 0.002 which was slightly less than the appropriate significance point. Thus, it is perceived that occupation of craniotomy patient's caregivers is statistically correlated with their score of knowledge. Practice association scores with a relationship with caregiver craniotomy patients were determined. 'F' value was 2.53 (DF = 5, 30), less than the measured significance amount of 'F' i.e. 2.93 at 5 percent. Furthermore, the measured 'p' = 0.028 was lower than the acceptable significance level. Hence it is perceived that the relationship with caregivers' craniotomy patients is associated with their practice score statistically. CONCLUSIONS Craniotomy caregivers were not having 100 per cent knowledge of craniotomy care. It is interpreted that an important significant relationship between knowledge score with selected demographic variables was found in the age, education, and occupation. And it is considered that an important significant relationship between practice score and selected demographic variables was found in relation with craniotomy patients.