Amy Scheel1, Andrea Beaton2, Emmy Okello3, Chris T Longenecker4, Isaac Omara Otim5, Peter Lwabi3, Craig Sable2, Allison R Webel6, Twalib Aliku7. 1. Children's National Health System, Department of Cardiology, Washington DC, USA. Electronic address: ascheel3@jhu.edu. 2. Children's National Health System, Department of Cardiology, Washington DC, USA. 3. Uganda Heart Institute, Department of Cardiology, Kampala, Uganda. 4. Case Western Reserve University, Department of Cardiology, Cleveland, USA. 5. Lira Regional Referral Hospital, Lira, Uganda. 6. Case Western Reserve University, Francis Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Cleveland, USA. 7. Gulu University, Department of Pediatrics, Gulu, Uganda.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of a peer-support group on knowledge, quality of life, and social support for children with rheumatic heart disease (RHD). METHODS: Children diagnosed with RHD and receiving 4-weekly injectable penicillin were invited to participate in a monthly support group for 6 months. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included a baseline RHD knowledge assessment, a measure of health related quality of life (HRQOL) (PedsQLTM4.0), and a measure of social support (Hawthorne Friendship Scale). Groups incorporated elements of cooperative play and team building, RHD education, and emotional support. RESULTS: 42 participants attended ≥3 groups and were included in the analyses. Attending support groups resulted in increased total HRQOL scores (60.3v 70.2, p<0.001), as well as the following HRQOL sub-scores (physical functioning 55.3v 68.6 (p<0.001), social functioning 64.2v 75.8 (p<0.001) and school functioning 59.2v 69.1 (p=0.001)). Significant increases in Friendship Scale scores (15.4v 19.7, p<0.001) and RHD Knowledge scores were observed (3.6v 6.4, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Peer-support groups may be effective at normalizing decreased HRQOL scores and increasing RHD disease knowledge and social support. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Peer-support groups implemented in conjunction with RHD screening can minimize the negative psychosocial effects associated with early RHD detection.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of a peer-support group on knowledge, quality of life, and social support for children with rheumatic heart disease (RHD). METHODS:Children diagnosed with RHD and receiving 4-weekly injectable penicillin were invited to participate in a monthly support group for 6 months. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included a baseline RHD knowledge assessment, a measure of health related quality of life (HRQOL) (PedsQLTM4.0), and a measure of social support (Hawthorne Friendship Scale). Groups incorporated elements of cooperative play and team building, RHD education, and emotional support. RESULTS: 42 participants attended ≥3 groups and were included in the analyses. Attending support groups resulted in increased total HRQOL scores (60.3v 70.2, p<0.001), as well as the following HRQOL sub-scores (physical functioning 55.3v 68.6 (p<0.001), social functioning 64.2v 75.8 (p<0.001) and school functioning 59.2v 69.1 (p=0.001)). Significant increases in Friendship Scale scores (15.4v 19.7, p<0.001) and RHD Knowledge scores were observed (3.6v 6.4, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Peer-support groups may be effective at normalizing decreased HRQOL scores and increasing RHD disease knowledge and social support. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Peer-support groups implemented in conjunction with RHD screening can minimize the negative psychosocial effects associated with early RHD detection.
Authors: Chris T Longenecker; Stephen R Morris; Twalib O Aliku; Andrea Beaton; Marco A Costa; Moses R Kamya; Cissy Kityo; Peter Lwabi; Grace Mirembe; Dorah Nampijja; Joselyn Rwebembera; Craig Sable; Robert A Salata; Amy Scheel; Daniel I Simon; Isaac Ssinabulya; Emmy Okello Journal: Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes Date: 2017-11
Authors: Ladan Golestaneh; Michal Melamed; Ryung S Kim; Jennifer St Clair Russell; Michele Heisler; Lisandra Villalba; Taylor Perry; Kerri L Cavanaugh Journal: BMC Nephrol Date: 2022-03-05 Impact factor: 2.388
Authors: Amy Scheel; Kate M Miller; Andrea Beaton; Judith Katzenellenbogen; Tom Parks; Thomas Cherian; Chris A Van Beneden; Jeffrey W Cannon; Hannah C Moore; Asha C Bowen; Jonathan R Carapetis Journal: Open Forum Infect Dis Date: 2022-09-15 Impact factor: 4.423
Authors: Kaciane K B Oliveira; Bruno R Nascimento; Andrea Z Beaton; Maria Carmo P Nunes; José Luiz P Silva; Lara C Rabelo; Marcia M Barbosa; Cássio M Oliveira; Mariana D Mata; Waydder Antônio A Costa; Augusto F Pereira; Craig A Sable; Antonio L P Ribeiro Journal: Glob Heart Date: 2020-06-17
Authors: Andrew Y Chang; Juliet Nabbaale; Emmy Okello; Isaac Ssinabulya; Michele Barry; Andrea Z Beaton; Allison R Webel; Chris T Longenecker Journal: J Am Heart Assoc Date: 2020-04-16 Impact factor: 5.501