Effectiveness of Health Education on Improving Stress and Quality of Life among Parents Having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Child

Abstract

Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a significant medical and public health concern because it has enormous social implications, such as financial costs, pressure on communities, negative effects on self-esteem and impacts on educational and vocational activities. Objective: The aims of this research were to assess the effectiveness of health education intervention on improving stress and Quality of Life of parents of children diagnosed with ADHD. Method: pretest posttest study was done at the Child Psychiatry Clinic in Zagazig University Hospital; it was consisted of three steps (pretest, education program and post test).70 parents having child with ADHD were self completed the Quality of Life-Brief questionnaires and The Parental Stress Scale. Results: Education program improved all domains of Quality Of Life and all parental stress scales with statistical significance. Rural area and the marriage status were the factors that affect the psychological domains with significant difference, while the low social class affect the overall heath domain with significant difference. Male gender of the parents was the factor that affects rewarding scale with statistical difference. Rural area was the factor that affects the loss of control scale of the parents of child with ADHD with statistical difference while low social class was the factor that affects the stress scale. Conclusion Parents having ADHD child have high scores of stress and lower Quality of Life scores. Increasing their levels of knowledge via health education can empower them in fighting the disease that may improve their Quality of Life and violate their stress.