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Factors associated with participation in a mitral valve prolapse support group
1Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program at Wright State University-Miami Valley College of Nursing and Health, Dayton, Ohio 45435, USA.
Purpose:
The goal of this study was to explore factors that may influence attendance at a mitral valve prolapse (MVP) support group.
Design:
The study design was nonexperimental and descriptive.
Method:
The MVP Support Group Questionnaire was mailed to 18 MVP support group leaders and to 700 persons in whom MVP had been diagnosed.
Findings:
Three hundred seventy-six questionnaires were analyzed. Data demonstrate that persons more likely to participate in an MVP support group are those who are older (>50 years of age) and those who belong to other self-help groups. The most important reason for attending these support groups was to obtain more information about MVP.
Conclusions:
Data suggest that MVP support groups are needed to provide support and information to people with MVP syndrome-information that is not normally available from family, friends, and physicians.