Effects of self-management education on clinical outcomes of adults with rheumatic heart disease: A quasi-experimental study

As the burden of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) increases in Ethiopia, there is a growing need for low-cost interventions to mitigate its impact. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of chronic disease self-management education (CDSME) on clinical outcomes, depression, and anxiety among patients with RHD. A quasi-experimental study was deployed among 166 patients with RHD at Jimma Medical Center between April and July 2024. A multi-component CDSME was endured for four consecutive months. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Systolic blood pressure decreased from 131.31 mmHg (SD±15.68) at pre-education to 113.77 mmHg (SD±20.98) at post-education (t- 12.251, p<0.001). Diastolic blood pressure decreased from 94.87 mmHg (SD±19.41) pre-education to 79.28 mmHg (SD±9.33) post-education (t-12.306, p<0.001). Hemoglobin level changed from 11.97 g/dl (SD±1.99) to 13.84 g/dl (SD±1.37) after the intervention (t -11.96, p < 0.001). Similarly, hospital depression subscale decreased from 11.93 (SD±3.43) to 9.48 (SD±3.67) (t - 8.37, p < 0.001) post intervention. Regarding the hospital anxiety subscale, the mean score before education program was 8.59 (SD±2.91) and decreased to 7.30 (SD±1.97) (t -6.44, p < 0.001) after education. This intervention is simple, cost-effective, and has the potential to be scaled up and implemented in the current healthcare system in Ethiopia.