Comparing the effect of two health education methods, self‑directed and support group learning on the quality of life and self‑care in Iranian postmenopausal woman
نویسندگان
1 Department of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
2 Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
3
doi
چکیده
BACKGROUND: Women during menopause stages experience many symptoms, for which theylack enough knowledge to manage them. This study aimed to compare the effect of self‑directed andsupport group health education on the quality of life (QOL (and self‑care of postmenopausal women.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This field trial study was carried out with three groups. One hundredand eight menopause women were selected through convenient sampling method based on theinclusion criteria from three comprehensive health centers. Health centers were randomly assigned tosupport (n = 36), self‑directed (n = 36), and control groups (n = 36). In the self‑directed group, educationwas provided through educational package, and the control group received routine care from thehealth center. The support group received education through four group sessions by trained healthyvolunteers. Data were collected by menopause‑specific QOL and self‑care standard questionnaire.RESULTS: Immediately after the intervention, the mean scores of QOL in the self‑directedgroup, support group, and control group were 41.82 ± 7.61, 40.31 ± 4.80, and 48.17 ± 8.45,respectively (P < 0.05). In addition, the mean scores of self‑care were significantly differentbetween the self‑directed (40.67 ± 7.36) and support (36.50 ± 3.36) groups compared to the controlgroup (47.83 ± 8.47) (P < 0.05). After 1 month from intervention, QOL scores in the self‑directedgroup (40.67 ± 7.36), support group (36.50 ± 3.36), and control group (47.83 ± 8.47) were significantlydifferent (P < 0.05). In addition, the mean scores of self‑care were 64 ± 6.79 and 65 ± 8.32 in theself‑directed and support groups, respectively, compared to the control group (49.09 ± 9.43). Post hoctest (least significant difference) revealed higher effectiveness of the support group (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated QOL and self‑care in menopause women in self‑directed andsupport groups improved. However, the support group provided higher effectiveness. Therefore,we recommended paying more attention to the capabilities of healthy volunteers for the promotionof QOL in menopause women.
