Effect of Health Education on Knowledge Regarding Post-operative Care among Patients with Mechanical Valve Replacement: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Introduction: Mechanical valve replacement is a necessary procedure for patients with valvular heart disease. The potential for morbidity and mortality from a valvular prosthesis remains as long as the valve is in place globally. Post-Operatively the patients are more prone to develop severe complications i.e. wound infection, oral anticoagulation related disorders like Thromboembolic events, bleeding, infective endocarditis, periprosthetic leak, and anemia and valve failure.

Materials and Methods: One group pretest-posttest (Quasi-Experimental) study was conducted in Lady Reading Hospital, a tertiary care government hospital in Peshawar. Data were collected from 35 patients through an adopted questionnaire. Data analysis for descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were done through SPSS version 22.

Results: The knowledge of the study patients regarding rest, exercise, personal hygiene and medications after mechanical heart valve replacement was insufficient (< 40%). After the education session regarding the exercise, personal hygiene and medications, the knowledge improve due to 93%. The knowledge enhanced from 60% to 100% after intervention (P-value < 0.001). Similarly, knowledge of patients regarding overdose of anticoagulants increased (P-value < 0.001). Likewise, before the intervention, the knowledge of the patients was 42% and after the intervention, it increased to 64% as evidenced by 54.3% of the patients replied correct answers.

Conclusion: Nursing education plays an important role in the improvement of patient’s knowledge regarding complications of mechanical valve replacement. Knowledge of patients regarding post-operative care was satisfactory after the intervention. Efforts may be needed to further improve awareness among patients to enhance post-operative care to prevent complication.