The effectiveness of the self-help group program and self care in school-age patients with Thalassemia

Abstract

Objective : The purpose of this study was to develop and design self-help group program and study the outcome of health, the satisfaction of multidisciplinary team to this program.

Materials and methods : This study was research and development study to design self-help group program. Participants were 30 children who follow up at pediatric thalassemia clinic of Nakhon Phanom hospital who were advised and teached by multidisciplinary team. The study was conducted during October 2016 to May 2018.The development consisted of 4 phases, including situation analysis, development and designs, program implementation and program evaluation. The intervention included the self-help group program, examined for content validity by 5 experts. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and paired t-test.

Results : This study showed self-help group program and self care in school-age with thalassemia. Before implemented program, a level self care behavior for school age patients with thalassemia mean score 82.30(SD=5.99). After implemented high levels of self care mean score 99.43(SD=6.96). The education was significantly higher than the score before education (P< 0.01). The results after the health care program was used found that the patients were healthy, according to the results of Hct and serum ferritin. The satisfaction, s multidisciplinary team were in the highest level. (X = 3.62,SD=0.44)

Conclusion : The self-help group program and self care in school-age with thalassemia. After implemented high levels of self care and good effect on health condition, according to evaluation of Hematocrit and decreased serum ferritin. The multidisciplinary team were satisfied.