RESUMO
Introduction: Asthma is a common chronic illness in children that effects patients' and their families' quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of family-centered Empowerment Model on quality of life of school aged children with asthma
Materials and Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental research on 172 children between 6 and12 years old, whom were referred to asthma clinic in Kerman Afzalipoor Hospital. For this purpose, in control and experimental group were selected based on convenience sampling. Data was gathered using [Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire] and was approved with content validity and reliability [?lpha=0.80]. The model has four stages [increase knowledge, self-empowerment, self-steam and evaluation] and was used in discussions, demonstrations and cooperative leanings with experimental group. The participants completed questionnaire before and after intervention. For data analysis SPSS/16 was used
Findings: Results showed that before intervention there was not any significant difference between two groups in quality of life scores. However, after intervention, quality of life scores in experimental and between two groups was different [p<0.05]
Conclusion: Findings showed that the designed model has improved quality of life in children [symptoms, activity limitation, and emotional function]. Hence, usage of this model is also suggested for other chronic illness