The effect of a self-learned virtual learning package on knowledge, attitude, and self-care behaviors of COVID-19 in people referred to health and treatment centers

Abstract

Abstract Background COVID-19 is one of the most common diseases in recent years, the most important way to prevent is through self-care behaviors; therefore, it is important to these behaviors in people. According to the importance of promoting self-care behaviors of this disease, and according to the characteristics and effectiveness of interventions based on behavior change, this study aimed to investigate the effect of educational intervention on self-care behaviors of COVID-19 in a group of patients. Methods This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 164 people who referred to health and treatment centers in Dehdasht City, Iran. The cluster sampling method divided the participants into experimental and control groups at random (82 people for each group). Data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire completed by the control and experimental groups before and three months after the intervention. The intervention program in this training group is to form a WhatsApp group and send messages in the form of audio files, text messages, text messages with photos, video messages, and PowerPoints. After creating the group and adding the participants, according to the agreement with the group members, every day of the week (8:00 am to 12:00 pm) to send educational files through the WhatsApp application. Also, the group members could ask their questions and problems to the researcher during the designated hours. The control group was also given routine care and follow-up at the centers, and no training was given regarding self-care behaviors. After entering the SPSS 24, data were analyzed by independent t, chi-square, and paired t statistical tests. Results 164 individuals working in healthcare services from health and treatment centers were included in this study. Before the intervention, demographic characteristics such as marital status, education level, medical history, and smoking history were similar between the two groups (P > 0.05), as indicated by the results of chi-square tests. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the mean scores of knowledge, attitude, and self-care behaviors between the experimental and control groups prior to the intervention (P > 0.05), according to independent t-tests. Following the intervention, notable changes were observed. The post-intervention analysis revealed statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups in terms of knowledge, attitude, and self-care behaviors (P = 0.001). Specifically, the experimental group exhibited significant improvements in these variables compared to the control group. Conclusion In this study, education led to the improvement of self-care behaviors in people who referred to health centers. Considering the importance of the role of health education in promoting self-care behaviors as well as preventing infectious diseases such as COVID-19, it is suggested that educational interventions focus on self-care behaviors in other diseases.