Publication:

Effectiveness of supportive educational intervention on knowledge, self-care behavior, disease activity and health status among arthritis patients

Background Arthritis is the group of conditions affecting the joints and typically causes swelling, pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritis & rheumatoid arthritis are the most common type of arthritis. Patient education should lead not only to changes in knowledge, but also to changes in behavior and in health status. Objective of the study was to assess effectiveness of supportive educational intervention on knowledge, self-care behaviour, disease activity and health status among arthritis patients.

Methods Pre-experimental, one group pre-test post-test research design (O1 × O2) was used. Total 20 patients of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis were selected for the study by purposive sampling technique.

Results There was very high statistical significant difference in the mean pre-test and post test score of knowledge, self-care behavior, disease activity and health status among arthritis patients at p value was 0.001 level of significance. The study found significant fair correlation between knowledge gain score and self-care behaviour gain score, self-care behaviour gain score and reduction of disease activity and self-care behaviour gain score and health status at p value was 0.01 level of significance.

Conclusions Study concludes that supportive educational intervention is effective to enhance knowledge, self-care behaviour & health status among arthritis patients.