The Effect of Educational Program on the Quality of Life and Self-Efficacy of the Mothers of the Infants with Congenital Heart Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Congenital heart disease causes large expenditures as well as mental pressures for the parents and, consequently, endangers the mothers’ quality of life and self efficacy. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the effect of educational program on the quality of life and self efficacy of the mothers of the infants with congenital heart disease. Methods: The present randomized controlled trial was conducted on 56 mothers who had children with congenital heart disease (28 in the control and 28 in the intervention group) in Imam Reza Clinic, Shiraz, Iran in 2012. The mothers’ quality of life and self-efficacy were assessed using SF-36 and Sherer’s general self efficacy questionnaires before, immediately and 2 months after the training. The training was performed through four 90-minute sessions in 4 weeks. The data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software and independent t-test, chi-square, and repeated measure analysis of variance. Results: A significant differences was observed between the intervention and control groups regarding the mean of quality of life across the three study periods (F=59.91, P < 0.0001). A significant difference was also found between the two groups concerning the mean of self efficacy at these times (F=114.11, P < 0.0001). Conclusion: According to the results, providing appropriate training for the mothers of the infants with congenital heart disease increased their quality of life as well as self-efficacy.