THE EFFECTS OF COUNSELING ON QUALITY OF LIFE IN PRE-ECLAMPTIC WOMEN: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

Preeclampsia is not only the most frequent obstetrical complication of pregnancy, it is also one of the three leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The aim of this study is to evaluate the group counseling on quality of life in pre-eclamptic women in Hamadan city, Iran. In a randomized controlled trial, 60 primigravida women with preeclampsia who were randomly allocated into two thirty-member groups of case and control. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Four Counseling sessions were performed in the case group. The control group received routine care. The Short-Form-12 Health Survey on general state of health was completed in both groups before and after intervention. Analyzing the data was performed by SPSS/20, using T test, chi-square test and Mann-Whitney test. P-value < 0.05 was regarded as significant. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the study variables at baseline (P>0.05). The global health status quality of life, based on SF-12, developed significantly in the case group (2.4±0.7 vs. 3.7±0.5) compared to controls (2.3±0.7 vs. 2.9±0.7) (P<0.001). The case group was associated with substantial development in total score of functions and symptoms of quality of life (P<0.001). The statistically and clinically crucial developments were indicated in functions and symptoms of quality of life in response to pre-eclamptic women. Self-care skills of preeclamptic women and fetal health could be improved by counseling system. Keywords: Councelling, pre-eclampsia; Quality of Life; Pregnant women