Effect of an Intervention Program on Maternal Knowledge about Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Its Management

Abstract

Background: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatic disease in children. The course of JIA is chronic and relapsing-remitting with a complex treatment regimen. Mothers as the primary caregivers need regular review and ongoing information about the disease and its management.

The aim of the study: this study aimed to evaluate the effect of an intervention program on maternal knowledge about JIA.

Subjects and methods:

Research Design:

       A quasi-experimental design (pre-posttest study) was used to conduct this study.

Settings:

         The study was carried out at the Pediatric Rheumatology and Immunology Unit at Zagazig University Hospital and Al Harar Hospital (Outpatient Clinics).

Subjects:

The subjects of this study were 52 mothers and their children with JIA.

Tool of data collection:

A structured interview questionnaire was developed by the researchers and consisted of two main parts; Part I: Characteristics of the studied mothers and their children. Part II: Mother's knowledge about JIA.

Results: The total mean scores of knowledge and its domains (knowledge about JIA, complication, treatment, and care) were significantly improved in the post-intervention phase in comparison with the pre-intervention phase.

Conclusion: it can be concluded that the intervention program improved maternal knowledge about juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Recommendations: Continuous educational programs should be conducted for children with JIA and their parents to provide them with essential knowledge about the disease, its treatment regimen, and care practices. Suitable booklets, brochures, posters, and health educational materials about JIA and its management should be available at the rheumatology unit for children with JIA in different age groups and their parents.