Effect of Self-care Training Program on Surgical Incision Wound Healing in Women Undergoing Cesarean Section: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Background: Cesarean section is one of the most important and common surgeries, and surgical incision wound disorders are one of the medical problems. Self-care behaviors can be effective in accelerating the wound healing process. Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the effect of a self-care training program on surgical incision wound healing in women undergoing cesarean section. Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental clinical trial on 72 women undergoing cesarean section in 2017 at one of the medical centers of Sarpol-e Zahab. Sampling was continuous, and subjects were randomly assigned to control or intervention groups based on inclusion criteria. The mothers of the experimental group were given a surgical wound care booklet, and the contents were taught by the researcher in 45 - 60 minutes one day before cesarean section. The learning rate was measured before and after the intervention at the clinic. Cesarean section wound healing was assessed 24 hours and nine days after cesarean section using REEDA tools in both groups. The collected information was analyzed by statistical indices (standard deviation and mean) and tests (independent t-test, Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon and Friedman tests) by using IBM SPSS software version 20. Results: The mean score of cesarean section wound healing 24 hours after surgery was 1.1 ± 39.38 in the intervention group and 1.1 ± 92.60 in the control group that had no significant differences (P < 0.13). However, the mean score of cesarean section wound healing nine days after surgery was 0.0 ± 53.65 in the intervention group and 1.1 ± 43.28 in the control group, which showed a significant difference (P = 0.001). Conclusions: According to the findings, it can be concluded that a self-care training program is effective in accelerating the surgical incision wound healing in women undergoing cesarean section. Thus, we propose to use this self-care training program in pregnant mothers undergoing cesarean section.