Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Associate Professor, Health Information Management, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Department of Allied Medical Sciences, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
2 Pediatrician, Velayat Hospital, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
3 BSc Student, Health Information Technology, Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Although many studies have been conducted on thalassemia from different aspects, none of them have yet identified the preferences of parents of patients with thalassemia major in receiving health information. Parents of these patients need appropriate and timely information to manage and resolve the problems of their children and family. This study aimed to identify the preferences of these parents in obtaining information to manage their children’s health. Methods: This was an applied, descriptive, and cross-sectional research. The study was conducted through interviews with the parents of patients with thalassemia major who were admitted to the pediatric ward of a hospital affiliated to Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2014. The data collection tool was a valid and reliable researcher-made questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.87). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Friedman test. Results: According to the results, 39.6% of the parents reported obtaining information about mental health problems as their first priority, while 56.6% of the parents reported obtaining information about the side effects of Desferal as their first priority. In addition, 56.6% of the parents preferred that the information be given to the patients’ father. Conclusion: The results indicated the type of information parents prefer to obtain first. Informational support can help the parents better manage their children’s illness. Transference of valuable knowledge through several information sources to the parents can lead to improvement of health in the society and parents feeling that they are socially supported.
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