ABSTRACT
In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the effects of post-discharge education and counseling using social media tools on wound healing, pain status, and care and practices for women with episiotomy. The study was conducted experimentally with 60 women (30 experimental, 30 control) who had vaginal delivery with episiotomy in a public hospital in Istanbul. Data were collected using a data entry form and evaluations on the REEDA (Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, Approximation) scale, VAS (Visual Analogue Scale), and Diagnostic Form for Episiotomy Care and challenges. In our study, training and counseling were given to the experimental group by making video calls via social media on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 14th postnatal days (PP), and the results were evaluated without any training to the control group. SPSS program was used for data analysis. There was no difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of demographic and obstetric data. It was determined that the total scores of the experimental group on the REEDA scale on the 7th postnatal day (x¯ =2.167 ± 0.747) were statistically significantly lower than the total scores of the control group on the REEDA scale on 7th postnatal day (x¯ =3.100 ± 0.923) (p = 0.000 > 0.05). It was determined that the total scores of the experimental group on REEDA scale on the 14th postnatal day (x¯ =0.200 ± 0.407) were also statistically significantly lower than the total scores of the control group on REEDA scale on the 14th postnatal day. (x¯ =1.333 ± 0.844) (p = 0.000 > 0.05). The VAS DS scores of the experimental group on 3rd (x¯ =4.733 ± 0.907) and the 5th (x¯ =3.267 ± 0.691) postnatal day were statistically significantly lower than the VAS DS scores of the control group on 3rd (x¯ =5.267 ± 0.944) and 5th (x¯ =3.933 ± 0.944) (p = 0.003 > 0.05) postnatal day. In the light of this information, it was found that scores on REEDA scale were lower and pain experiences were significantly less in the group that received education and counseling with social media tools after discharge in women who underwent episiotomy.
