A Community Based Program for Family Caregivers for Post Stroke Survivors in Thailand

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the post-stroke care program within the community setting in Thailand. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was a nonequivalent control group pre-test and post-test design. A total of 62 pairs of post-stroke patients and their family caregivers were recruited to the study (31 pairs per group). The intervention consisted of a four-week program that included distributing pertinent information, providing skill practice during post-stroke care sessions and utilizing strategies to enhance motivation and behavioral skills of family caregivers based on the information-motivation-behavioral skills model. The family caregivers' post-stroke care skills were evaluated. The patients' activities of daily living (ADLs) and complications were evaluated at baseline and immediately and 2-month post-intervention. Statistical analysis included chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, independent t-test, and two-way repeated measures' analysis of variance. RESULTS: After participating in the program, family caregivers in the experimental group significantly improved their post-stroke care knowledge and skills as compared to those in the control group (F = 585.81, p < .001). ADLs among post-stroke patients in the experimental group significantly increased over time and were higher than those in the control group (F = 46.01, p < .001). Moreover, complications among patients in the experimental group were less than those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The post-stroke care program improved family caregivers' post-stroke care skills which resulted in improved functional status and decreased complications among post-stroke patients.

Helping Teachers Conduct Sex Education in Secondary Schools in Thailand: Overcoming Culturally Sensitive Barriers to Sex Education

PURPOSE: The purpose of this quasi experimental study was to evaluate the effects of Culturally Sensitive Sex Education Skill Development, a teacher-led sex education program in secondary schools in Thailand. METHODS: Two public secondary schools in the suburban areas of Bangkok were randomly selected. One was designated as the experimental school and the other as the comparison school. Ninety grade seven and eight teachers, 45 from each school, were selected to participate in the study. Self efficacy theory and culturally appropriate basis were applied to develop the program which included 4 weeks of intervention and 2 weeks of follow up. Primary outcomes were attitudes toward sex education, perceived self efficacy, and sex education skills. Statistical analysis included independent and paired t test, and repeated one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: At the end of the intervention and during the follow-up period, the intervention group had significantly higher mean scores of attitudes toward sex education, perceived self efficacy, and sex education skills than their scores before (p < .001), and than those of the comparison group (p < .001). CONCLUSION: The results showed that Culturally Sensitive Sex Education Skill Development could enhance attitudes and sex education self efficacy to promote the implementation of sex education among teachers.

Effect of famoly task program for game addiction prevention in children

Objective  To study the effect of the family task program for the prevention of computer game addiction in school-age children. Materials and methods This is a quasi-experimental research of two groups pre-post test design. Participants were 40 pairs of parents and children; the experimental group was Nareewittaya school, the comparative group was Darunarachaburi school. The experimental group received the family task program with participatory learning method. These activities took 2 weeks (one day per week) and booster by sending newsletters to parents one time per week at the 3rd and 4th week of the program. Data collection were performed at pre and post intervention as well as at the 5th week by self-administered questionnaires regarding knowledge, attitudes, and practice on family developmental tasks for prevention of computer game addiction. Statistics used for data analysis were descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and t-test  Results The parents in the experimental group had significantly higher mean score on knowledge, attitudes, and practice of family tasks than before intervention, and in the comparison group. Also, children in the experimental group received parental supervision significantly higher than those before intervention, and in the comparison group.Conclusion This program could be applied to strengthen the parents’ capacity and promote family relations for preventing school-age children from being addicted to computer games.key words  : children, computer game addiction, family