This study aimed to determine the effect of educational intervention based on Orem's theory on self-care, worry, and health practice among pregnant women aged 35 years or older attending comprehensive health service centers in Gonabad County. The results showed a significant difference in self-care, health practice, and worry scores between the intervention and control groups immediately and one month after the intervention. Therefore, it can be concluded that educational intervention based on Orem's theory can improve self-care and health practice and reduce worry. These results are consistent with a previous study conducted in Mashhad in 2015–2016 aimed at determining the application of Orem's theory in promoting self-care behaviors among pregnant women at risk of preterm birth. Findings indicated that an educational intervention aligned with Orem's self-care theory led to a significant improvement in self-care practices among women at risk of preterm birth. Specifically, the intervention group exhibited significantly higher post-intervention self-care scores compared to the control group (16).The self-care scores among women at risk of preterm birth were higher in the previous study compared to the current study. This discrepancy could be attributed to differences in access to healthcare services between the two settings. However, the increase in self-care scores after the intervention in the intervention group of the current study indicates the positive impact of using Orem's Self-Care Theory on the self-care of pregnant women. This study aligns with the previous study regarding using Orem's Self-Care Theory in pregnant women and assessing self-care.
In a randomized controlled trial, a study was conducted on 64 pregnant women with insulin-treated gestational diabetes to determine the impact of couples' supportive counseling on self-care behaviors. After being randomly assigned to either a control or intervention group, the intervention group received couples' supportive counseling sessions. Data analysis revealed a significant difference in mean self-care scores between pre-and post-intervention in the intervention group, indicating that couples' supportive counseling can improve self-care behaviors, consistent with the findings of the current study (17). In this study, the educational intervention was conducted with the pregnant woman and her partner, whereas in the current study, the intervention was solely provided to the pregnant woman. This methodological difference makes it incompatible with the current study; however, both studies align in terms of examining self-care in pregnant women.
One reason for the increase in self-care scores is the lack of information regarding pregnancy, its complications, and related actions. Education has led to increased awareness and improved self-care. Moreover, managing pregnancy complications requires the pregnant woman's active participation in prenatal care, which necessitates a higher level of awareness. Self-care education is an effective tool for increasing this level of awareness. Furthermore, inadequate knowledge regarding prenatal care can lead to various complications and ultimately result in adverse pregnancy outcomes. Education can foster the pregnant woman's active and informed participation in self-care. Therefore, the findings of this study demonstrate the positive impact of Orem's Self-Care Theory on self-care among pregnant women aged 35 and over.
A study aimed to determine the impact of electronic education on prenatal screening tests on the anxiety and worry of pregnant women. The Cambridge Worry Scale was used to assess the women's worry both before and two weeks after the intervention. The results indicated that electronic education significantly reduced worry among pregnant women. One reason for the higher worry scores in the previous study compared to the current study might be the gestational age inclusion criteria (7–9 weeks in the previous study and 14–29 weeks in the current study). According to some studies, worry is higher in the first trimester due to the risk of miscarriage compared to the second trimester. Moreover, the decrease in worry scores was more pronounced in the current study, which can be attributed to the comprehensive educational intervention. While the previous study only provided a 7-minute animation on screening tests, the current study included three sessions with a broader focus on various topics such as nutrition, maternal and fetal health, relationships, and mental health during pregnancy. This study aligns with the current study in terms of assessing worry (18).
Furthermore, a similar study comparing the effects of group and individual education on anxiety and worry among pregnant women regarding prenatal screening tests found that educational interventions reduced worry levels, aligning with the findings of the current study. This study involved three groups of pregnant women (individual education, group education, and control). The results showed an increase in mean anxiety scores in both the control and group education groups, while no increase was observed in the individual education group (13). One possible explanation for this lack of increase is the individual education method, which was also used in the current study. Although group education has its advantages, it also has limitations. For example, some individuals may disrupt group dynamics, and participants may feel pressured to self-disclose. In contrast, individual education gives individuals more opportunities to express their thoughts and opinions. Therefore, the use of individual education to reduce woy in this study is consistent with the current study.
A randomized controlled trial was performed among pregnant women and their partners in Urmia to investigate the impact of couples' counseling based on spousal support on anxiety and worry during pregnancy.The results demonstrated a significant difference in mean woryy scores between the intervention and control groups following the counseling intervention, indicating that the intervention effectively reduced worry in pregnant women. This finding aligns with the current study (19). However, in terms of methodology and the specific content of couples' counseling, this study differs from the present one.
A study aimed to determine the impact of cognitive-behavioral counseling on anxiety and worry levels among pregnant women with a moderate risk of Down syndrome in the first-trimester screening. The intervention group received cognitive-behavioral counseling. The results indicated that this intervention reduced anxiety and worry, which is consistent with the current study. In this study, the level of worry among pregnant women was higher compared to the current study. This can be attributed to the characteristics of the study population; participants were pregnant women with a moderate risk of Down syndrome, a condition that could increase their worry levels (20).
A study aimed to determine the impact of individual counseling intervention on pregnancy-related health practices. The results showed no significant difference in the mean score of health practices between the intervention and control groups before the educational intervention. However, a significant difference was observed after the intervention, indicating that providing individual counseling to pregnant women is an effective way to enhance their health practices. This study aligns with the current study in terms of individual counseling and the assessment of health practices. The educational intervention was conducted in Turkey in three sessions, with self-care scores measured before the intervention and during the second and third trimesters. These findings are consistent with the results of the current study (21). The similarity in findings can be attributed to cultural factors and the effectiveness of individual counseling. The current study utilized Orem's Self-Care Theory, which differs from the theory used in the study being compared.
A study aimed to investigate the impact of self-care counseling on the health practice of adolescent pregnant women, as well as their attitudes toward motherhood, pregnancy, and pregnancy symptoms. After the counseling intervention and data analysis, the results indicated that the intervention improved health practice among adolescent pregnant women, consistent with the current study. This study focused on adolescent pregnant women and involved a six-session group counseling intervention. The health practice scores in this study were lower compared to the current study, which could be attributed to the age of the participants. In this regard, this study is not directly comparable to the current study (22).
Furthermore, a study aimed to determine the impact of self-care counseling on the health practice of pregnant women aged 35 and over who visited comprehensive health centers in Hamadan. The study involved a group counseling intervention for pregnant women aged 35 and older. Data analysis confirmed the positive impact of self-care counseling on the health practice of high-risk pregnant women. This study aligns with the current study in terms of assessing the health practices of pregnant women aged 35 and over. The intervention in this study consisted of four group counseling sessions, and health practice scores were measured before and one month after the intervention. The higher health practice scores in the current study can likely be attributed to the use of Orem's Self-Care Theory and individual sessions (2).
In a 2015 Turkish study, 111 primiparous women who had a natural vaginal delivery were enrolled and randomly assigned to either a control or intervention group. Data was collected using a self-developed personal information form, a data collection form based on Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory, and the Postpartum Self-Evaluation Questionnaire (to assess women's adaptation to motherhood in the postpartum period). A nursing intervention was then implemented based on identified diagnoses over six sessions. At the end of the sixth week postpartum, questionnaires were completed again by both groups. The results indicated that the care provided based on Orem's Self-Care Theory in the postpartum period improved or prevented postpartum problems and increased postpartum adaptation (23), demonstrating the positive impact of Orem's model on postpartum adaptation. This aligns with the use of Orem's model in the current study.
A study conducted in China in 2020 aimed to investigate the impact of Orem-based nursing intervention on pain levels, self-care, psychological status, and quality of life in patients with bone cancer. Data was collected using the Visual Analogue Scale for pain, the Hamilton Anxiety and Depression Rating Scale, and the Quality of Life Scale, as well as a self-care competency questionnaire. Results showed that the intervention group had significantly higher quality of life and self-care scores compared to the control group and lower pain levels and negative emotions such as anxiety and depression. These findings support the results of the current study (24).
One strength of this study is its focus on pregnant women aged 35 and over, which is significant considering current population policies and the importance of self-care in this population. Additionally, the study included both urban and rural populations. Limitations of the study include the reliance on self-reported questionnaire data, as well as the inability to control for genetic differences among participants and individual and psychological differences.