Effects of a Pressure Ulcer Prevention Care Model for Bedridden Patients at Home by Relative Caregivers in the 4G Era in Mueang District, Nong Bua Lamphu Province

Abstract

This research aimed to study the effects of a pressure ulcer prevention care model for bedridden patients at home by relative caregivers in the 4G era in Mueang District, Nong Bua Lamphu Province. The study was conducted from May 2023 to January 2024. Data were collected using a caregiver competency assessment form and the Braden Scale for pressure ulcer risk assessment. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and inferential statistics including Independent T-Test and Mann-Whitney U test.

The results of the study found that the group of caregivers were mostly female, 61 (84.7%), with an average age of 47.71 years (s.d. = 13.73), had underlying diseases, and had primary education (n = 39, 54.2%). Most used smartphones for communication (n = 64, 84.9%). Most bedridden patients were male (n = 39, 34.2%), with a mean age of 62.74 years (SD = 18.25), and had underlying diseases including diabetes (n = 21, 29.2%), hypertension (n = 33, 45.8%), cerebrovascular disease (n = 22, 30.8%), chronic kidney disease (n = 8, 11.1%), and heart disease (n = 4, 5.6%). The most common cause of being bedridden was stroke (n = 14, 18.4%). Medical devices used included tracheostomy tubes (n = 15, 11.8%), urinary catheters (n = 30, 41.7%), colostomy (n = 5, 8.9%), and other devices (n = 40, 56.6%).

The results of implementing the model showed that post-intervention knowledge between the experimental and control groups differed significantly at the 0.05 level. Post-intervention practice skills between the experimental and control groups showed statistically significant differences at the 0.01 level. Additionally, post-intervention pressure ulcer levels between the experimental and control groups were significantly different at the 0.001 level.