Effect of Nurse-Led Educational Intervention on Knowledge and Practice of Self-Care During the Intrapartum and Postpartum Period in a Private Hospital

Abstract

Background: The intrapartum and postpartum periods are critical phases in maternal health, often marked by insufficient knowledge and inadequate self-care practices among women, contributing to preventable complications. Despite global recommendations emphasizing maternal education, structured interventions remain underutilized in private healthcare settings, particularly in developing regions. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a nurse-led educational intervention on improving knowledge and self-care practices among women during the intrapartum and postpartum periods in a private hospital setting. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted among postpartum women (n = 40) admitted to a private tertiary care hospital in Lahore from July to December 2023. Participants aged 18–35 years, clinically stable within 48 hours postpartum, were included; those with complications or requiring intensive care were excluded. Data were collected using a validated knowledge questionnaire and a self-care practice checklist administered pre- and post-intervention. The educational session was delivered individually by trained nurses using visual aids. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Green International University, and all participants provided written informed consent in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, applying paired t-tests and chi-square analyses to evaluate changes and associations. Results: Post-intervention knowledge scores significantly increased (mean difference = 4.44, t = 15.10, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 2.50), with 82.5% of participants demonstrating adequate knowledge compared to 22.5% at baseline. Self-care practices improved similarly (mean difference = 2.90, p < 0.001). Significant gains were observed in awareness of hygiene (p < 0.001), early breastfeeding (p < 0.001), and recognition of postpartum complications (p < 0.001), indicating strong clinical relevance. Conclusion: The nurse-led educational intervention effectively enhanced maternal knowledge and self-care practices during the intrapartum and postpartum periods. These findings support the integration of structured maternal education into routine hospital care to improve outcomes and empower women in managing their postpartum health.