Feeding with Care

Caregiver Perspectives on Pediatric Gastrostomy Tubes

Bibliographic Data

ID15719642
AuthorsFareed Ahmad (0000-0002-6359-6601, University of Jordan, corresponding author), Noor Al-Assaf (University of Jordan), Noor F Al-Assaf (0009-0003-7391-5092, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan), Mohammad Alzoubi (0000-0003-3268-7938, University of Jordan), Nada Odeh (0009-0009-2422-4061, University of Jordan), Dina Samara (0009-0007-8062-4495, University of Jordan), Zaid Arafat Samara (University of Jordan), Hashim M AlHammouri (0009-0003-6314-2620, University of Jordan), Tahani Ahmad (0000-0001-9885-6090, University of Jordan), Salma Burayzat (0000-0001-7265-5055, Hashemite University), Omar Alqudah (0009-0002-8491-1655, University of Jordan), Nadia Khamees (0009-0001-8776-637X, University of Jordan), Tarek Tamimi (University of Jordan), Tarek A Tamimi (Jordan University Hospital, Amman 11942, Jordan), Awni Abu Sneineh (0000-0003-4621-3805, University of Jordan), Yaser Rayyan (0000-0002-0421-5143, University of Jordan)
Year2025
Volume12
Issue7
Pages813-813
Publication date2025-06-21
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChildren (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-9067 • E-ISSN: 2227-9067
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/children12070813
PMID40723007
OpenAlexW4411581616
LanguageEN
References cited23

Background/Objectives: Gastrostomy tube (GT) placement plays a vital role in managing children with chronic illnesses who are unable to meet their nutritional needs orally. While its clinical benefits are well established, limited data exist on caregivers' satisfaction with GT use in Jordan. This study aimed to assess caregivers' satisfaction and identify factors that influence their experiences by using a validated satisfaction scoring system in which a score greater than 20 indicates a high level of satisfaction. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Jordan University Hospital, including children under 18 years of age who underwent endoscopic GT insertion between July 2017 and December 2024. Caregivers completed the Structured Satisfaction Questionnaire with Gastrostomy Feeding (SAGA-8), and demographic and clinical data were collected. Statistical analyses explored associations between satisfaction levels and patient-, caregiver-, and healthcare-related factors. Results: A total of 46 caregivers participated. The median satisfaction score was 26.1, surpassing the high satisfaction threshold of 20. Overall, 63% of caregivers expressed satisfaction or high satisfaction with GT feeding, and 82.6% were satisfied with the support provided by the healthcare team. Additionally, 69.5% and 65.2% of caregivers reported improvements in their child's nutritional status and overall family well-being, respectively. Notably, 89.1% observed a reduction in feeding time, and 84.8% reported fewer respiratory infections following GT placement. Over half of the caregivers (58.7%) indicated that they would have agreed to earlier GT placement if they had been more aware of its benefits. Conclusions: Caregivers reported high satisfaction with GT use, with scores well above the validated threshold indicating high satisfaction. These findings highlight the positive impact of GT placement on children's health outcomes and family quality of life. Enhancing caregiver education and providing robust healthcare support are crucial to improving the management of children who require GT feeding

Feeding tube · Gastrostomy · Gastrostomy tube · Intensive care medicine · Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues · Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life · Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterology · Medicine · Pediatrics · Surgery

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access