Effects of Information Giving on Anxiety , Knowledge and Practice among Mothers of Infants with Retinopathy of Prematurity

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is the most common serious  ophthalmic disease in preterm infants, in the worst cases, patients will suffer from permanent blindness. Mothers of  infants  with  ROP are at greater risk of psychological distress , depression, poor adjustment and anxiety during the hospitalization and after discharge. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of information program on the anxiety levels, knowledge, and practice among mothers of infants with  ROP at the pediatric ophthalmology clinic  Out – Patients Department in Srinagarind Hospital , Faculty of  Medicine Khon Kaen University.

Methods: A quasi experimental research  one  group  Pretest – Posttest  was designed to determine the effect of information program on the anxiety levels , knowledge and  practice among mothers of infants with  ROP during January  to December 2011. Twenty subjects were included in the study by convenient sampling technique. Research instrument included information program which was constructed and examined its content validity by three experts, the Spiellberger State – Trait Anxiety Inventory Form X-1 whose Cronbach’s alpha reliability was 0.94, and knowledge test and self practice score. The participants were pre-tested for anxiety, knowledge and self practice score on the admission day before they were given the information program through a video presentation.  A post-test then was given a week after hospitalization. Data were statistically analyzed by the paired T-Test.

Results: The results revealed that post-test’s mean score of anxiety was significantly lower than that of the pre-test  (p < 0.001 and 95%CI: 2.51 - 10.18 ).  Mean score of knowledge for post-test was significantly increased from the pre-test (p <0.001 and 95%CI: 2.90 - 5.29).  Finally, mean score of practice for post-test was significantly increased from the pre-test (p <0.001 and 95%CI: 0.76 - 1.03).

Conclusion : The results strengthened the beneficial use of information program provision on anxiety reduction, development of understanding for infants with  ROP care and improved practice care capability  and satisfaction of nursing care.

Keywords : information program , anxiety , Retinopathy of  Prematurity