A Survey on the Role and Benefits of Online Social Networks on Filipino Patients With Psoriasis

Completed

• Conditions: Psoriasis
• Interventions: Behavioral: Online support group

• Registration Number: NCT01465061
• Lead Sponsor: University of the Philippines

Brief Summary

With the rise of usage of the internet, online social networks have recently been gaining popularity. Joining these groups can be beneficial to patients with chronic medical illness, such as psoriasis.This was a cross-sectional online survey of psoriasis patients in the Philippines who are members of online support groups. The survey was conducted for a period of three months.The purpose of the research project was to describe the demographics, disease characteristics, activities and benefits of online support groups to Filipino patients with psoriasis. The extent to which members experience empowering processes and outcomes was also evaluated.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2011-02
• Primary Completion: 2011-06
• Study Completion: 2011-08
• Study First Submitted: 2011-10-26
• Status Verified: 2011-11
• Study First Submitted QC: 2011-11-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2011-11-01
• Study First Posted: 2011-11-04
• Last Update Posted: 2011-11-04

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 124

Inclusion Criteria

• diagnosis of psoriasis
• individuals who are willing to complete the online survey
• proficiency in English
• membership in an online psoriasis support network

Exclusion Criteria

• nonmembers
• unwilling to participate in the study

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Online support user	Online support group	-

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Disease characteristics of online support users	3 months	The overall health status (poor, average, good), psoriasis severity (mild, moderate, severe), duration of illness of online support groups were evaluated.
Demographic profile of online support users	3 months	The sociodemographic profile of the respondents such as age (mean, range), sex, civil status, level of formal education, employment status were described.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Activities performed and extent of participation of online support users	3 months	Participants were also asked regarding their attitudes and experiences with online communities, length of use, log-on frequency and nature of online activities.
Empowering processes and outcomes experienced by online support group members	3 months	The frequency with which empowering processes (exchange information, find recognition, share experiences, encounter emotional support, help others) occurred were measured on a 3-point scale (1-seldom to never, 2-sometimes, 3-often). The outcomes experienced (are better informed, feel more confident in relationship with physician, have improved acceptance, feel more confident with treatment, have enhanced social well-being, have increased optimism and control over the future, have enhanced self-esteem) were assessed on a 3-point scale (1-disagree, 2-neither agree nor disagree, 3-agree).
Correlation of variables	3 months	Intervariable correlation (overall health status/psoriasis severity with frequency/duration of usage, educational level/employment status with frequency of usage) were also be assessed for significance.