Effect of Education " Self-Management 5-A's Program" on the General Health of Mothers of Children with Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is one of the most common chronic motion disability in children that can have a negative impact on the general health of mothers. This study is aimed to determine the effect of education "Self-Management 5-A's Program" on the general health of mothers of children with cerebral palsy.
This quasi-experimental study was conducted between 2015 and 2016. In total, 47 mothers of children between age of 4 and 12 years with cerebral palsy in Kurdistan province were selected using census-sampling method. After intervention stage the final sample was reduced to 23 mothers in intervention group and 16 in the control group. Data was collected by the demographic questionnaire of mothers and children and the “Short Form 36 Health Survey” (with confirmed validity and reliability). Questionnaires were completed by mothers before and after learning the "Self-Management 5-A's program". Data were analyzed using SPSS/22.
The mean of mothers’ age in this study was 33.5 and the average age of children was 6.2 years. At the pre-intervention stage the mean of general health of mothers in intervention group was 27.60 and the control group was 26.25. No significant differences were identified between two groups (P = 0.804). However, after intervention the mean of general health of mothers did not change in control group. This value in intervention group was 38.26 which was significant (P=0.009).
The general health of mothers of children with cerebral palsy is weak. While, educating mothers with the "Self-Management 5-A's program" can facilitate and enhance their health, it is suggested to consider and align education programs based on the mother’s needs.