The Impact of Orem's Model-Based Self-care Training on Self-care Behavior and the Quality of Life in Postmenopausal Kurdish Women: A Controlled Randomized Study

Abstract

Objectives: Lack of information on the symptoms of menopause may aggravate symptoms and reduce the quality of life in postmenopausal women. This study aimed to determine the effect of self-care trainings, based on Orem’s model, on selfcare behavior, and the quality of life in postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, postmenopausal women, referred to the health care centers of Saqqez city, were randomly assigned into 2 groups. Pre-test questionnaires including socio-demographic, SF-12 quality of life, and self-care questionnaires were filled out by all participants. The intervention group received 4 training sessions based on Orem’s model. Participants in the control group were only given routine recommendations in the health care centers. Four weeks after intervention, participants filled out the questionnaires once again. Primary outcome was self-care behavior and secondary outcome was quality of life. Results: In the present study, 130 participants were equally and randomly assigned into 2 groups. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of socio-demographic characteristics. Statistical analysis showed that the intervention group had significantly better performance compared with the control group in terms of the self-care behaviors and quality of life (P<0.05). Conclusions: Training is one of the most important factors in improving self-care behavior and quality of life. The use of selfcare programs is a safe, noninvasive and inexpensive way to control physical and psychological problems. These programs can be easily taught to the patients (clients); and their impact on postmenopausal women is very important.

Keywords

• Orem"s self-care model
• Menopause
• Quality of life