The impact of a peer support group for children with rheumatic heart disease in Uganda

•Monthly support group for children with RHD consisting of cooperative play and team work, education and social support.•Attendance normalized previously decreased HRQOL scores.•Increase in disease knowledge and decrease in feelings of social isolation amongst participants. To assess the impact of a peer-support group on knowledge, quality of life, and social support for children with rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Children diagnosed with RHD and receiving 4-weekly injectable penicillin were invited to participate in a monthly support group for 6 months. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included a baseline RHD knowledge assessment, a measure of health related quality of life (HRQOL) (PedsQLTM4.0), and a measure of social support (Hawthorne Friendship Scale). Groups incorporated elements of cooperative play and team building, RHD education, and emotional support. 42 participants attended ≥3 groups and were included in the analyses. Attending support groups resulted in increased total HRQOL scores (60.3v 70.2, p