Examining the effect of the computer-based educational package on quality of life and severity of hypogonadism symptoms in males

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the computer-based educational package on men’s QoL and the severity of their hypogonadism symptoms.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 80 male employees. The data collection tool included the ‘Aging Male Symptoms’ (AMS) and ‘Short Form-36’ (SF36) questionnaires. Four sessions were held for the intervention group over a period of 4 weeks. Two months after training, QoL and the severity of hypogonadism symptoms were measured in both the intervention and control groups. The data were analyzed with SPSS 22 software and statistical tests, such as χ², independent t-test, Fisher’s exact test, and paired t-tests.

Results: Significant statistical changes were observed in the intervention group before and 2 months after the training in the QoL score in the overall dimensions of physical–psychological health and all its domains except for three domains of emotional role, social function, and pain. Furthermore, the paired t-tests showed significant differences between 2 months before and after the training in all the domains and the overall hypogonadism score in the intervention group.

Conclusions: Based on our findings, the computer-based educational package has a positive effect on QoL and reduction of hypogonadism symptoms.

Keywords:

• Hypogonadism
• quality of life
• computer-based training

Acknowledgements

This article is the by-product of a dissertation for a master’s degree in community-based midwifery and a research project approved by Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) under number 26288, which has received financial support from the Vice Chancellor for Research. We would hereby like to thank the authorities at TUMS and all the participants for lending us their valuable time.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services.