Boys and male adolescents can fail to use haemophilia treatment effectively. They need to take increased responsibility, as they transition from childhood to adulthood.
ROAD spent a month in treatment centres and patients’ homes, talking to teenagers about living with haemophilia. Insights from this research shaped GOFACTOR - a patient support programme aligned with the specific needs of young males using a medium, manner and openness they could respect.
Once registered in the GOFACTOR community, boys and young men could find answers to the issues that mattered to them – directly from older teenage mentors, boys who had experienced the exact same issues – sex, fights, sport, relationships, drugs, tattoos, treatment – all dealt with in a frank, forthright and often funny way.
Using secure data hosting, GOFACTOR served age-appropriate content, as well as access to a moderated community environment.
Extremely well accepted by young haemophiliacs and professional audiences alike. Research showed boys in the programme complying with their treatment regime, not because they were told to by an adult, but because they decided to do it for themselves.
