Effects of Providing Preparatory Information Program Using Digital Media on Anxiety, Knowledge and Self-care behavior in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Surgery: A Feasibility Study

Abstract

Background and Objective: Inguinal hernia is a common problem, especially among elderly individuals. It is primarily caused by the weakness of the abdominal wall tissue. Current treatment requires surgery to repair the specific area. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of providing preparatory information through digital media on the anxiety, knowledge, and self-care behavior of patients undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery.

Methods: A single-group pretest and posttest design was used with a purposive sample of 10 patients scheduled for first-time laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen Province. Patients were purposively selected based on inclusion criteria. The sample group received a digital media preparation program for laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery, which included infographics, video media, and a LINE application. The program was implemented 1 day before surgery and continued for 24 hours after surgery. Data were collected using the demographic questionnaire, the state-trait anxiety inventory form, the inguinal knowledge assessment form, the self-care behavior assessment form, and a satisfaction questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze demographic data, while paired t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and repeated measure ANOVA were employed to analyze differences between pretest and posttest measurements.

Results: All participants in the sample were male (100%), with a mean age of 65±13.2 years. Anxiety scores before providing information (37.0±9.47) and after providing information (32.0±7.62) did not differ significantly (t=1.337, p>0.05). However, the reduction in anxiety scores may have practical implications for patients' psychological state and readiness to face treatment procedures. Knowledge scores before information provision (12.20±1.31) and after information provision (13.60±1.07) showed statistically significant differences (t=-3.500, p=0.007). Similarly, knowledge scores before information provision (12.20±1.31) and 24 hours post-surgery (13.50±1.17) differed significantly (t=-3.881, p=0.004). However, knowledge scores after information provision (13.60±1.07) and 24 hours post-surgery (13.50±1.17) did not show statistically significant differences (t=0.361, p=0.726). Self-care behavior scores after information provision (median=20) were significantly higher than before information provision (median=18) (p<0.05). And the overall satisfaction with the information preparation was highest (4.84± 0.35), especially regarding the feasibility of actual self-care application which received the highest score (5.00±0.00) with 100%

Conclusion: Providing preparatory information using digital media may show a trend toward reducing anxiety can increase knowledge, understanding and promote comprehensive self-care behavioral practices during the surgery. However, further research with a sufficient sample size should be conducted to compare the outcomes of the digital media-based preparation information before implementation.