The Effect of Educational Package on Functional Status and Maternal Self-Confidence of Primiparous Women in Postpartum Period: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Postpartum period is an important transition for parents, infants and families physiologically, emotionally and socially. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a training package on functional status and self-confidence of primiparous women in the postpartum period. Method: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 136 primiparous women who were referred to health centers in Tabriz, Iran, for their second postpartum care (10–15 days after delivery). These women were randomly assigned to education (n= 68) and control (n= 68) groups. The education group was provided with a face-to-face training session, three phone sessions, and a booklet. The control group received the routine postpartum care on days 1–3, 10–15, and 42–60. Participants completed the functional status and maternal self-confidence questionnaires before the intervention and eight weeks postpartum. Independent t, chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used for data analysis. Results: No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of sociodemographic characteristics, except for infant’s gender (p> 0.05). At six weeks after the intervention and by adjusting for baseline scores and infant’s sex, mean scores of functional status (adjusted mean difference: 0.9; 95% CI: 0.8 to 1.03, p< 0.001) and maternal self-confidence (adjusted mean difference: 16.6; 95% CI: 13.8 to 19.3, p< 0.001) were significantly higher in the education group than in the control group. Conclusion: This study showed that training women has a positive effect in increasing their self-confidence and improving their functional status