Sophia Boxerman, Brittany Flores, Xihan Yang, Elena M Masters, Eileen T Crehan, Amanda V French
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience greater unmet medical service needs and decreased care satisfaction compared to those without these diagnoses. There are no evidence-based resources widely available to prepare children with IDD for menarche.
Methods: This IRB approved embedded mixed methods study investigated the efficacy of "period kits" for patients with IDD to ease anxiety and improve preparedness for menarche. Custom kits included a colorful pouch, an original social story, a resource list, and common period management items. Nine family pairs (child/adult) were enrolled. Surveys performed before and after kit exploration queried participants' understanding of menarche, and feedback about the kit itself. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: Surveys of the children showed limited knowledge about periods at baseline. Additional themes prior to provision of the "period kit" included limited knowledge, negative perceptions and emotional responses about menstruation and puberty and hesitancy approaching period conversations. After kit exposure, there was an improvement in period related knowledge and promotion of interhousehold discussion with continued room for conversation.
Conclusions: Many kids with IDD have limited baseline knowledge about menstruation. Custom "period kits" may be helpful in stimulating conversation within families and promoting increased knowledge about menses to children and families. Limitations of this study are small size and qualitative nature, potentially limiting generalizability and external data validity.
期刊介绍:
Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology includes all aspects of clinical and basic science research in pediatric and adolescent gynecology. The Journal draws on expertise from a variety of disciplines including pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, reproduction and gynecology, reproductive and pediatric endocrinology, genetics, and molecular biology.
The Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology features original studies, review articles, book and literature reviews, letters to the editor, and communications in brief. It is an essential resource for the libraries of OB/GYN specialists, as well as pediatricians and primary care physicians.