A Quasi-experimental Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Normal Saline Compress on Thrombophlebitis among Patients in Selected Hospital, Krishnagiri District

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of normal saline compress on thrombophlebitis among patients in selected hospital at Krishnagiri District. The aim of the study is: (1). To asses and compare the pre- and post-test levels of thrombophlebitis among patients in study group and control group. (2). To determine the effectiveness of normal saline compress on thrombophlebitis among patients in the study group. (3). To associate the post-test level of thrombophlebitis with selected demographic variables. Research approach: Quantitative research approach was used. Research design: Quasi-experimental design was used for the present study, where pre-test and post-test control group design was selected to evaluate the effectiveness of normal saline compress on thrombophlebitis patients. Sample size: The sample size was 60. Thirty samples were selected for the study group and 30 samples were selected for the control group. Sampling techniques: Purposive sampling technique was adopted for the study. Purposive sampling uses the most readily available or most convenient group of people for the sample. Research tool and research technique: The tool used in the study consists of two parts: Part I: Demographic data consist of age, gender, educational status, religion, occupation, family income, dietary pattern, marital status, number of days in hospitalisation, and weight; Part II: Phlebitis scale that consists of five items. Scoring was done according to the key as follows: no signs of phlebitis – 0, first signs of phlebitis – 1, early stage of phlebitis – 2, medium stage of phlebitis – 3, advanced stage of phlebitis – 4. Result: In the study group, the mean score on the level of thrombophlebitis patients was 3.33 in pre-test and 1.03 in post-test. The paired t-value was 15.86*, which is significant at p >0.05. In the control group, the mean score on level of thrombophlebitis patients was 2.67 in pre-test and 1.33 in post-test. The paired t-value was 11.98*, which is significant at p > 0.05. It shows that normal saline compress was effective in improving the level of thrombophlebitis. Hence the research hypothesis (H1) is accepted. In control group, on considering the age, the chi-square value was 10.89 and the table value at degrees of freedom 12 was 21.03. As per the gender, the chi-square was 0.96 and the table value at degrees of freedom 4 was 9.49. On seeing the education, the chi-square value was 16.42, at degrees of freedom 12, the table value was 21.03. Religion shows that chi-square value was 2.87 and the table value was 21.03 at degree of freedom 12. Considering the occupation, the chi-square value was 4.11 and the table value of 15.51 with degrees of freedom 8. Family income shows chi-square value of 7.23 with table value of 21.03 at degrees of freedom 12. Considering the dietary pattern, the chi-square value was 0 and the table value of 9.49 with degrees of freedom 4. Marital status shows the chi-square value of 7.77 and the table value of 21.03 at degrees of freedom 12. Number of days in hospital shows the chi-square value of 2.60 and the table value of 21.03 at degrees of freedom 12. Weight shows the chi-square value of 10.53 and the table value of 21.03 at degrees of freedom 12. There is no significant association between the post-test level of thrombophlebitis among patients in the study and control groups with their demographic variables such as age, gender, educational status, religion, occupation, family income, dietary pattern, marital status, number of days in hospitalisation, and weight. From the result of the study, it was concluded that normal saline compress was effective in thrombophlebitis among patients. The normal saline compress was cost effective and can be done at any time. Compared to pharmacological treatment, normal saline compress have no side effects. The patients also feel comfort while providing normal saline compress.