ผลของโปรแกรมการจัดการตนเองของบุคคลและครอบครัวต่อความร่วมมือในการใช้ยาขับเหล็กในเด็กโรคธาลัสซีเมีย

Abstract

Iron overload is a major problem for children with transfusion dependent thalassemia. Treatment requires the use of injectable and oral iron chelators. Therefore, a primary goal of treatment plans for these children is iron chelation adherence. This quasi-experimental two-group pretest-posttest design aimed to compare the mean score for iron chelation adherence among school–aged children with thalassemia before and after participating in an individual and family self-management program. The study also compared the mean score for iron chelation adherence between school-aged children with thalassemia who participated in the program and those who received usual care. The study sample consists of 36 school-aged children between the ages of 7-12 years who were diagnosed with thalassemia at a tertiary hospital in the upper northern region of Thailand. The data collection period was from July 2023 to September 2023. The research instruments consisted of 1) a general information questionnaire for school–aged children with thalassemia and their caregivers; 2) the Thai version of the Morisky Medication Adherence Scales (MMAS-8); and 3) the individual and family self-management program for school–aged children with thalassemia. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t–test. The results revealed that iron chelation adherence after participating in the individual and family self-management program was significantly better than before participation (t .18, p < .001). Additionally, iron chelation adherence after participating in the individual and family self-management program was significantly better than that of school–aged children with thalassemia who did not participate (t -8.37, p < .001). The results of this study suggest that healthcare professionals should be encouraged to implement individual and family self-management programs for school-age children with thalassemia. By using this strategy, these school-age children can effectively increase their comprehension of iron chelation and enhance their cooperative behavior.