Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Assessing the effect of self‑care education on anxiety and depression among pregnant women with a history of spontaneous abortion

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Taharah Boryri 1
. Ali Navidian 2
. Fatemeh Hashem Zehi 3

1 Pregnancy Health Research Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran

2 Community Health Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran

3 Master’s student of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Abortion is one of the most common complications of early pregnancy, which
emerges as a physically and mentally devastating experience. Due to the prevalence and importance
of postabortion mental health problems and their adverse effects on subsequent pregnancies, some
interventions should be made to reduce the resultant anxiety and depression. The present study
aimed to determine the effect of self‑care education on anxiety and depression among pregnant
women with a history of spontaneous abortion.
METHODS: This randomized quasi‑experimental study was performed on ninety pregnant women
with a history of spontaneous abortion who referred to health centers in Zahedan in 2019. The
samples were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to two intervention
and control groups. Between 6 and 16 weeks of gestation, the participants in the intervention group
received four sessions of 60‑min self‑care training over 2 weeks. On the other hand, the control
group received routine pregnancy care. Data collection tools included a demographic and fertility
evaluation questionnaire, a 6‑item short‑form of the state scale of the Spielberger State‑Trait Anxiety
Inventory, and a short form of Beck Depression Inventory. Posttest was performed 4 weeks after
the end of the intervention. The data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 21) using statistical
tests of independent t‑pair, paired t‑pair, Chi‑square, and Fisher’s exact test.
RESULTS: Based on the obtained results, there was no significant difference between the two
groups in terms of anxiety and depression scores before the intervention. Nonetheless, after the
intervention, the mean scores of anxiety and depression in the intervention group were calculated
at 7.31 ± 1.31 and 4.71 ± 1.90, respectively. However, these scores were reported as 1.87 ± 13.46
and 9.31 ± 1.59 in the control group, respectively (P = 0.0001).
CONCLUSION: As evidenced by the obtained results, self‑care education is effective in the reduction
of anxiety and depression in pregnant women with a history of spontaneous abortion. Therefore,
health professionals and health‑care providers should enrich prenatal care programs with these
training sessions and provide women with peace of mind and comfort during pregnancy.

Keywords

abortion history
anxiety
depression
pregnancy
self‑care
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Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Volume 10, Issue 12
December 2020
Pages 1-8

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