Effect of Preventive Educational Interventions on Pregnant Women's Knowledge and Self- Care Practices regarding Puerperal Sepsis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Lecturers of Maternal and Neonatal Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University, Egypt.

2 Professor of Maternal and Neonatal Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University, Egypt.

3 Lecturers of Maternal and Neonatal Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Puerperal sepsis is considered a preventable perilous issue that
associated with women's demise. Therefore, prevention is better than treatment.
This research aimed to evaluate the effect of preventive educational interventions
on pregnant women's knowledge and self-care practices regarding puerperal sepsis.
Subjects and Method: A quasi- experimental design was exploited, the target
group comprised of 120 pregnant women who were determined by a purposive
sample and were selected from obstetric departments of Tanta University and El-
Menshawy hospitals. Two tools utilized: Tool (I): Pregnant women's knowledge
regarding puerperal sepsis and its prevention: It was consisted of four main parts,
Tool II: Pregnant women's self- care practices assessment sheet: that involved
seven categories. Results: Remarkable improvement in the total knowledge level
of the studied pregnant women where (30%) of them had adequate knowledge pre-
intervention compared to (78.5% & 75% respectively) immediately post-
intervention and at the follow up as well as highly enhancement in the total scores
of pregnant women self-care practices where (15%) of them had satisfactory
practices pre intervention compared to (80% & 78% respectively) immediately
post-intervention and at the follow up with highly statistically significant
differences P=(0.000**). Conclusion: prominent enhancement in pregnant
women's overall knowledge and self-care practices regarding puerperal sepsis
prevention. Recommendations: pregnant women should be adequately enriched
with designed preventive nursing instructions and interventions regarding post-
partum complications especially puerperal sepsis.