JOPHON NCPD (2023 Sept/Oct) - Development and Implementation of Educational Material by Nurses for Parents/Caregivers of Children with Cancer: A Peruvian National Study-Development and Implementation of Educational Material by Nurses for Parents/Caregivers of Children With Cancer: A Peruvian National Study

Development and Implementation of Educational Material by Nurses for Parents/Caregivers of Children With Cancer: A Peruvian National Study

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This Peruvian national process study describes how pediatric oncology nurses developed educational materials for parents and caregivers of children with cancer, as part of the PAHO/WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer. In 2020 a Ministry of Health–convened, multicenter nursing working group partnered with clinicians and NGOs to conduct a needs assessment and then create targeted resources.<br /><br />A 23-item survey (online and in person) was administered in June–July 2020 across 13 hospitals in five cities, with paper options and Quechua translation support to improve access. The sample included 365 respondents (71% mothers; median age ~38; 44% with ≤11 years of schooling; 54.5% from provinces outside Lima). Most children were either on ongoing treatment (43.3%) or in follow-up (43.1%).<br /><br />Parents’ top educational priorities were: childhood cancer overview and treatment side effects (85%), food and nutrition (75%), and palliative care/quality of life (67%), followed by hand hygiene (53%). Many parents sought information online (72.8%) and via social media (53.7%), but preferred receiving education through hospital talks (70.9%) and videos (64.7%), along with printed materials and mobile apps.<br /><br />Using these findings, the working group spent October 2020–May 2021 developing 23 short (3–5 minute) Spanish-language videos with simple language, clear learning objectives, animations, and subtitles. Content was piloted with small parent groups for clarity. Videos covered chemotherapy, side effects, home care, fever/neutropenia, hand and oral hygiene, vaccination, emotional support, family impact, palliative care, and treatment adherence, plus locally tailored nutrition “recipe” videos featuring Peruvian foods.<br /><br />The study concludes that systematically assessing caregiver educational needs enables culturally relevant, nurse-led educational strategies that can strengthen understanding, support adherence, and improve care at home, especially in resource-limited settings.

Keywords

Peru pediatric oncology nursing

caregiver education materials

childhood cancer parent resources

PAHO WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer

needs assessment survey 13 hospitals

Spanish-language educational videos

Quechua translation access

chemotherapy side effects management

fever neutropenia home care

palliative care quality of life