Education-based Self-management Intervention on Awareness among Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus at Tertiary Care Hospital, Chennai, India

Abstract

Introduction: Education-based self-management intervention that incorporates both social support and health education have reduced pain, improved function and delayed disability among patients with lupus. Aim: To assess the effect of education-based self-management intervention on awareness among patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) at tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: The quantitative experimental study one group pretest post-test design using purposive sampling technique was conducted on 55 patients, who were all diagnosed with SLE in Rheumatology Outpatient Department, Tertiary Care Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The patients received the intervention “education-based self-management” which comprised of audio recorded powerpoint teaching on various aspects of SLE like definition, risk factors, signs and symptoms diagnostic investigations, treatment, complications and self-care measures. The investigator taught a group of 4-5 patients for 30-40 minutes using the presentation, followed by which they were provided a booklet on self-management guidelines. The pre and post-test self-management awareness determined through reliable and valid self-structured questionnaire (SLE awareness questionnaire) and their values were analysed through inferential and descriptive statistics. Results: The SLE was reported to be highest among the age group of 21-35 years (72.7%), with higher incidence in females 96.4% than male 3.6%. Majority (n=44) 80% of the patients were founds to have inadequate level of awareness in the pretest. During the post-test on 15th and 30th day, the awareness among the patients was found to be adequate with the score of 38.2% and 94.5%, respectively. There was a significant difference noted in level of awareness between pretest and post-test on 15th day at p-value=0.04 and between pretest and post-test on 30th day at p-value=0.01. Conclusion: The education-based self-management intervention is effective in improving the awareness levels among patients with SLE and it can also be effective for patients to manage their symptoms.