Effectiveness of a Self-efficacy Enhanced Program Using Cartoon Animation for Self-care Behaviors Among Schoolchildren with Epilepsy: A Quasi-experimental Study

Abstract

Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological diseases in children and may cause repeated seizures and complications. Thus, self-care behavior is vital for effective seizure control. This quasi-experimental study examined the effectiveness of the Self-efficacy Enhanced Program Using Cartoon Animation for self-care behaviors among school children with epilepsy. The study was conducted at a pediatric neurological clinic in the outpatient department of a tertiary hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. There were 42 children with epilepsy, aged 10 to 12 years, who participated in the study: 21 in the experiment group and 21 in the control group. The experimental group received the program, which used two cartoon animation videos to enhance self-care behaviors for eight weeks, while the control group received regular care only. The data were collected using demographic and self-care behavior questionnaires and were analyzed using chi-square and t-tests. The results demonstrated that after program completion, the mean scores of total self-care behavior and subscale on medication taking, avoiding triggers seizures, and self-care of abnormal symptoms and seeking information in the experimental group were significantly higher than before receiving it and higher than those in the control group significantly. Nurses should use this program to increase self-care behaviors among children with epilepsy. However, testing the program in other settings with long-term follow-up is needed before it can be used widely.