Aim: Effect of planned teaching in the knowledge of care of children with Congenital Heart Diseases(CHD).

Methods: Either parent of 50 children diagnosed with CHD following-up at the cardiac clinic and informed about their child’s condition were included. A structured questionnaire (in 2 vernacular languages) was used for the interview of the parents. All underwent a pretest followed by planned teaching (using audiovisual aids) which was concluded by a post test 15 days later. Knowledge of the parents about pathophysiology, signs and symptoms of the cardiac condition, infective endocarditis (IE) prophylaxis, dental hygiene and special care during complications were assessed.

Results: 36% of parents had high school education and 28% belonged to the middle socioeconomic strata. Planned teaching improved the understanding of the parents regarding the CHD in their child from 70% to 82%. Knowledge regarding appropriate feeding increased from 58% to 92% and care of children during complications of the disease from 52% to 74% in the post test evaluation; all of which were statistically significant. Also 72% were aware of the need for IE prophylaxis during dental manipulation, though 74% of them were unaware of signs and symptoms of the same. The post test awareness of proper dental hygiene increased to 88 % from 60 %.

Conclusion: Planned teaching is an effective and significant tool to improve the knowledge of parents of children with CHD and such education should be a part of all pediatric cardiac clinics.