Effect of Educational Program on Activities of Daily Living among Post Liver Transplantation Patients.

Abstract

Background: Physical activity after liver transplantation is an important determinant of long-term health and is as important as the value of pre-transplant activity for withstanding the immediate stress of transplantation. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of educational program on activities of daily living among patients with post-liver transplantation. Research design: A quasi-experimental research design was used. Setting: The study was conducted in the Liver Transplantation Unit of the National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Egypt. Study subjects: A purposive sample of patients (n= 50) who attended the previously mentioned unit through 12 months were taken from both genders, their ages ranged from 20 to 60 years old during 12months. Tools of data collection: Three tools were used; Tool (1): The structured interview Questionnaire, Tool (2): The Recipients' practical level needs observational checklist and Tool (3): Barthel Index Scale. Results: The mean score of total information of the studied recipients was 13.92 ± 2.30 pre-educational program implementation which improved to 41.56 ± 7.26 and 41.24 ± 8.57 immediately post and at discharge respectively. Also, there was a statistically significant improvement in patients' practices post-educational program implementation compared with before (p= <0.001) Also, there was an improvement in patients' independence in their activities of daily living post implementing the educational program (p= <0.001). Conclusion: The degree of independence among post liver transplantation patients significantly improved post program implementation which reflects that program was effective in improving patients' daily activity performance with high statistically significance differences. Recommendations: Providing a rehabilitation plan for recipients of liver transplantation that includes providing social support post-transplantation, preparing for the return of occupational activities, coping strategy with working sites, self-care management, and nutrition for maintaining the ideal body weight.