The effect of peer and adult education on the internet to adolescents with allergic asthma on quality of life, self-efficacy, anxiety, disease i̇nformation and manangement

Objective: The study is to examine the effects of internet-based peer and adult education on anxiety, self-efficacy, quality of life, disease knowledge, and management to adolescents aged 10-14 years with allergic asthma. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with randomized controlled adolescents aged 10-14 years with allergic asthma followed in the pediatric allergy and immunology outpatient clinic, between 15.05.2019-01.10.2020. The sample consisted of 41 adolescents, including the study group-1 peer (n=15), the study group-2 adults (n=14) receiving education, and the control group (n=12). Interactive training on the knowledge and management of allergic asthma was given to the adolescents in the study groups. The control group was not trained. Data were collected using descriptive data forms, State Anxiety Inventory for Children, Self-Efficacy Scale for the Children and Adolescents with Asthma, Pediatric Asthma Quality-of-Life Questionnaire, and Disease Knowledge and Management Questionnaire. The evaluation periods at baseline, immediately after the education, 1 month and 3 months later education. Data for the control group were collected at the same time as the study groups. Data were evaluated by descriptive statistics, chi-square, Kruskal Wallis, ANOVA, and Analysis of Variance in Repeated Measures. Results: The mean anxiety scores of the adolescents in the study groups immediately after the education and 1 month later were significantly lower than the control group (p<0.05). The mean self efficacy scores of the adolescents in the study groups immediately after the education, 1 month and 3 months later were significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). There was no difference between the mean quality of life scores of the groups (p>0.05). The disease knowledge and management mean scores of the adolescents in the study groups in measurements after the education were significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). There was no difference between study groups 1 and 2 in terms of anxiety, self-efficacy, quality of life, disease knowledge, and management score averages. Conclusion: Internet-based education reduced adolescents' anxiety, increased their self efficacy, asthma knowledge and management, but did not affect their quality of life. However, no difference was found between those who received peer education and those who received adult education in terms of anxiety, self-efficacy, quality of life, asthma knowledge and management.