Nam Sze Cheng1, Janita Pak Chun Chau1, Suzanne Hoi Shan Lo1, Kai Chow Choi1, Kam Lun Ellis Hon2, Pok Hong Lam2, Ting Fan Leung2,3. 1. Faculty of Medicine, The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. 2. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. 3. Hong Kong Hub of Pediatric Excellence, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Eczema is the most common childhood skin problem worldwide. Education that enhances parental self-efficacy in carrying out appropriate eczema management is crucial to controlling eczema symptoms of their children. However, the lack of such a structured education program hinders everyday lives of eczematous children and their families. This study evaluated the effects of a self-efficacy theory-based parental eczema education program in controlling eczema of Chinese children at three months after commencement of intervention. METHODS: An assessor-blind, 2-arm, randomized controlled trial was conducted at an outpatient clinic of a regional hospital. One hundred and thirty-six Chinese children aged 3 months to 12 years with physician-diagnosed eczema, and their parents were recruited. The intervention was underpinned by the Social Cognitive Theory. Children's disease severity, parental self-efficacy, treatment adherence, and quality of life of family members were assessed by validated tools. Generalized estimating equation model was employed to compare differential change in each outcome across time between different groups. RESULTS:Eczema severity of children and parental self-efficacy in the intervention group were found to show greater improvement at 3-month follow-up with regression coefficient (β) -16.98 (95% CI, -21.04 to -12.92; P < .001) and β 29.39 (95% CI, 22.64-36.14; P < .001), respectively. Nearly all parents (97%) receiving the intervention rated this program as useful and helpful. CONCLUSIONS: This program is effective in enhancing parents' self-efficacy in managing their children's eczema and improving their adherence to eczema treatment and quality of life.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND:Eczema is the most common childhood skin problem worldwide. Education that enhances parental self-efficacy in carrying out appropriate eczema management is crucial to controlling eczema symptoms of their children. However, the lack of such a structured education program hinders everyday lives of eczematous children and their families. This study evaluated the effects of a self-efficacy theory-based parental eczema education program in controlling eczema of Chinese children at three months after commencement of intervention. METHODS: An assessor-blind, 2-arm, randomized controlled trial was conducted at an outpatient clinic of a regional hospital. One hundred and thirty-six Chinese children aged 3 months to 12 years with physician-diagnosed eczema, and their parents were recruited. The intervention was underpinned by the Social Cognitive Theory. Children's disease severity, parental self-efficacy, treatment adherence, and quality of life of family members were assessed by validated tools. Generalized estimating equation model was employed to compare differential change in each outcome across time between different groups. RESULTS:Eczema severity of children and parental self-efficacy in the intervention group were found to show greater improvement at 3-month follow-up with regression coefficient (β) -16.98 (95% CI, -21.04 to -12.92; P < .001) and β 29.39 (95% CI, 22.64-36.14; P < .001), respectively. Nearly all parents (97%) receiving the intervention rated this program as useful and helpful. CONCLUSIONS: This program is effective in enhancing parents' self-efficacy in managing their children's eczema and improving their adherence to eczema treatment and quality of life.