Effect of the virtual training program for managing fever and seizures on the stress of mothers of children with febrile seizures

Abstract

Background and aims: This study investigates the effect of virtual training on the stress of mothers of children with febrile seizures. Methods: This quasi-experimental research was conducted on 64 mothers of children with febrile seizures in Shahrekord in 2022. The samples were randomly distributed into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received WhatsApp training during three individual and 3 group sessions, and the control group received routine training. Mothers' stress was measured using the Pediatric Inventory for Parents (PIP) questionnaire, completed by two groups before, immediately, and two months after the intervention. Data analysis was done using the SPSS 18 version, descriptive statistics, repeated measure analysis of variance, independent t-test, chi-square, and Fisher tests. Results: Before the intervention, the average total score of stress in frequency level in intervention and control groups was 117.29±20/70 and 122.50±24.69 and in difficulty level in intervention and control groups were 122.21±25.32 and 129.83±3.24. There was no statistically significant difference on the two levels between the groups (P=0.363) and (P=0.285). Immediately after the intervention, the average total score on the two levels in the intervention group was significantly lower than the control group (P=0.001) and (P=0.003). Two months after the intervention, the average score on two levels in the intervention group was lower than the control group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Using virtual training is suggested as an effective method to reduce the stress of mothers of children with febrile seizures.