Effects of Self-perineal Care Education using a Mobile Application on Knowledge and Practice of Perineal Care among Primigravida Mothers: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Background: Poor self-perineal care (SPC) by new mothers due to inadequate knowledge can result in perineal pain and poor wound healing outcome. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of self-perineal care education on knowledge and practice among primigravida mothers in Malaysia. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in two public tertiary care hospitals from September 2019 to March 2020. In total, 125 mothers were recruited using consecutive sampling procedures from two tertiary care hospitals. The intervention group consisted of 62 mothers who received SPC education supplemented by the mobile app, while the other 63 mothers in the control group received only routine hospital care. The knowledge of mothers regarding SPC was assessed at 32 to 33 weeks of gestation and then at 4 h post-delivery. The mothers of both groups reported their perineal care practices on Day 1, Day 3, Day 5, and Day 7 post-childbirth using the SPC education mobile app. Results: There was no significant difference in the SPC knowledge scores between the two groups at baseline (P=0.155). Post-analysis showed a significant increase in the SPC knowledge score in the intervention group (P<0.001) but not in the control group (P=0.133). At all-time points, the mothers in the intervention group performed better SPC practice than those in the control group (P<0.001). There were significant associations between changes in knowledge and practice on all four days (P<0.001). Conclusion: The increased knowledge of SPC was significantly associated with improved SPC practice among the primipara mothers postnatally.