Restriction of the Family-Centered Care by COVID-19: A Supportive Educational Program for Fathers to Improve the Eating Behavior of Hospitalized Pediatrics

Abstract

Background: Poor oral nutrition is one of the important outcomes of hospitalization in children with respiratory disease, which may lead to insufficient energy intake.Deterioration of nutritional status during hospitalization affects clinical outcomesseriously. This study aimed to investigate the effect of an educational-supportiveprogram for fathers on the eating behavior of hospitalized pediatrics with pneumoniain the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In this clinical trial, 40 children aged 12 to 36months with pneumonia were selected together with their parents, after which theywere randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. The intervention groupreceived an educational supportive program face-to-face and virtually. Then, thefather established an online video communication with the child and his mother asthe main caregiver, while the control group received routine care. The data collectiontools included the demographic questionnaire and the children's eating behaviorquestionnaire (CEBQ) completed by the mother during admission and 7 days later.Results: The results of the study showed no significant differences between any ofthe demographic variables of the study (P > 0.05). The mean eating behavior of thetwo groups before the intervention was 104.25 ± 6.20 and 105 ± 6.20, which werenot significantly different (P = 0.70). However, the values of 113.2 ± 6.20 and 96.40± 6.20 were obtained after the intervention, indicating statistically significantdifferences (P <0.001). Conclusions: Planning and maintaining family integrity andeducating and reminding parents of their role, including the fathers’ supportive role,can lead to the improvement of a child's eating disorder during hospitalization forpneumonia © 2022. Journal of Nutrition and Food Security. All Rights Reserved.