Effectiveness of “Health Promotion Interventions” on Selected Perinatal Outcomes among Mothers Admitted for Elective Caesarean in PGIMER, Chandigarh 2018-20

Abstract

Peripartum and pregnancy are the period of transition which would nearly disturb every aspect of a woman’s life. The postoperative course of a mother having a caesarean section is different for each mother. The health promotion interventions protocol makes the mothers more competent and confident in self-care and care of neonates. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of ‘Health Promotion Interventions’ on pregnant women undergoing elective caesarean on maternal practices and outcomes during the postpartum period and on baby care practices and outcomes during the postpartum period. Material and Method: A quasi-experimental design was used and 80 mothers with gestational age 32 weeks were selected by using purposive sampling technique. Ethical clearance was obtained and informed consent was taken from the mothers. Data was collected in the period of July-August 2019. “Health Promotion Interventions” were implemented at the time of pre-assessment and after 3 days, in interventions, the mothers were educated regarding self- care, newborn care and about contraception by using the scrapbook, a booklet was prepared for this package and with the help of demonstration by using a baby dummy. Follow up was done till discharge, telephonically at 12th and 21st day and at 6th weeks of postpartum. The control group was asked to follow routine care including advices and instructions by health care workers Results: In both groups placenta previa was the main indications for elective caesarean section. The results revealed that in experimental group majority of the mothers were initiated early breastfeeding (85%), passed first flatus within 24 hours after caesarean section (82.5%), performing postnatal exercises (55%), continued exclusive breastfeeding (100%), having normal bowel pattern (100%) lesser number of mothers were having breast engorgement (22.5%) as compared to control group (p<0.05). In terms of neonatal outcome, 97.5% of newborns were gaining normal weight at 6th weeks and 100 % of the newborn was having normal bowel and bladder pattern and there was no incidence of re-hospitalization of mother and baby in the experimental group. The difference between both the groups were found statistically significant (p<0.001). The findings also revealed a significant difference between control and experimental group in relation with selected outcomes. Conclusion: Hence, it has been concluded ‘Health Promotion Interventions’ improved knowledge and practices of mothers regarding, postnatal self-care, newborn care and care of the baby upto 6 weeks of the postpartum period. Findings also revealed that ‘Health Promotion Interventions’ was effective in improving the perinatal outcomes after elective caesarean and reducing the occurrence of postpartum complications. Key words: Elective caesarean, postnatal care, newborn care, Health Promotion Interventions.