Effect of Tailored Patient Education Program on the Outcomes of Pregnant Women with Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Abstract

Context: Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a harmful condition associated with serious physical and psychological complications that affect pregnant women's health. The etiology of hyperemesis gravidarum is not well understood and mainly unknown but is probably unmodified multi-factorial risk factors.
Aim: This research aimed to examine the effect of a tailored patient education program on pregnant women's outcomes with hyperemesis gravidarum.

Methods: A quasi-experimental (study/control group) design was adopted in this study to achieve the stated aim. A convenience sample of 50 pregnant women diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum was recruited. The research was conducted at the inpatient obstetrics and gynecology department, Kafrelsheikh General Hospital, Kafrelsheikh Governorate, Egypt. Data was collected using three tools: Structured interviewing questionnaire; Modified 24-hour Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis/Nausea (PUQE) index; and health status assessment record.

Results: The research findings revealed that 56.00% of the study group at baseline assessment have severe nausea and vomiting compared to 52.00% of the control group, with no statistically significant difference between both groups (P = 0.776). While at three- weeks post-program, no one of the study group women has severe nausea and vomiting compared to 16.00% of the control group with a statistically significant difference between both groups (P = 0.044). Concerning signs and symptoms of dehydration, there was no statistically significant difference between the study and control group regarding any signs and symptoms of dehydration at the three times of assessment. A statistically significant difference was revealed between the study and control group about the length of hospital stay (P = 0.041) and hospital readmission (P = 0.029).

Conclusions: Although there is no statistically significant difference between the study and control group regarding signs and symptoms of dehydration, the decreased severity of nausea and vomiting, length of hospital stay, and hospital readmission rate are valued outcomes. The study recommended that a pregnant woman be equipped with adequate health information related to HG by conducting such a health education program that should be tailored according to women's needs.