Evaluation of the effectiveness of a web-based epilepsy education program developed for adolescents and their parents

Objective: This study aims to develop a web-based epilepsy education program (WEEP) for adolescents with epilepsy and their parents and to evaluate the efficacy of WEEP on health management. Method: This randomized controlled study was conducted with 69 adolescents with epilepsy aged between 9-18 and their parents (n=71) who were accepted to Pediatric Neurology Policlinic of Antalya Training and Research Hospital of Health Science University between November 2017 and April 2018. The study sample was divided into two groups as study (35 adolescents, 37 parents) and control (34 adolescents, 34 parents) groups using simple randomization method. The web-based epilepsy training program which was developed during the preparation stage of the study was evaluated by 13 experts using the DISCERN measurement instrument. The data collection materials were administered by the researcher to the adolescents and parents in both groups before applying WEEP. Following the administration of WEEP to the initiative group, all participants were observed for three months. The data collection materials were reapplied to all the participants at the end of the third month. In addition, the adolescents and their parents in the study group were applied WAMMI (Website Analysis and Measurement Inventory) measurement tool for the evaluation of usability of the site. Results: The mean score of WEEP obtained using DISCERN was 72.7±3.4 and other scores obtained using WAMMI for the adolescents and their parents were 92.49±1.63 and 92.31±1.94, respectively. The mean scores of knowledge, epileptic seizure self-efficacy, behavior and e-health literacy of the adolescents in the study group increased after the administration of WEEP and this increase was statistically significant (p0.05). Similarly, the mean scores of knowledge, anxiety, self-management and e-health literacy of the parents in the study group also increased and this increase was statistically significant as well (p0.05). Conclusion: WEEP has been proved to be a useful and reliable educational website for the development of knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy and e-health literacy of adolescents with epilepsy and their parents. Keywords: epilepsy, web-based training, adolescent, parent, nurse