Comparing the Effects of Telegram-based Virtual Education and In-person Education on the Disease Control and Quality of Life in Adolescents with Severe and Moderate Asthma

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aim: Asthma is the most common chronic childhood disorder that has many complications on physical, mental, social development and evolution of children. In addition to economic costs of the disease, it influences their quality of life in critical situations. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Telegram-based virtual education and In-person education on the disease control and quality of life of adolescents with severe and moderate asthma. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 60 adolescents aged 12-19 years. Subjects were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. The demographic, asthma control, quality of life of children with asthma, self-efficacy and perceived stress Cohen questionnaires was completed before and after the intervention and five weeks after the intervention by adolescents in both groups. Education was presented in the in-person format and virtual telegram-based in the control and intervention groups, respectively. The educational content in the groups was the same. Descriptive and inferntial statistics were used via the SPSS software version 21 to analyze data. Results: The quality of life, asthma control, self-efficacy and perceived stress scores were similar in the two groups before the intervention. Also, these scores were increased in both groups after the intervention (p <0.05). Based on the results of ANCOVA, given controlling the quality of life, asthma control, self-efficacy and perceived stress scores before the intervention there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of the mean scores of quality of life, asthma control, self-efficacy and perceived stress after the intervention (p <0.05). Conclusion: Pediatric nurses can provide in-person and telegram-based education to increase the quality of life, self-efficacy, Better control of asthma, reduce stress of adolescents with asthma and provide support to health and well-being of adolescents with asthma.