The effect of counseling based on health promotion awareness on mental health and self-esteem in women with ectopic pregnancy: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Objectives

In all types of pregnancies women experienced changes in their mental health and self-esteem condition. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of counseling on mental health and self-esteem following an ectopic pregnancy (EP).

Study design

This was a randomized controlled clinical trial on 68 pregnant women with EP referring to Al-Zahra hospital in Tabriz, Iran in 2018. The participants randomly allocated to counseling and control groups. Intervention group received four sessions of counseling including 1) providing medical information about EP and its physical and psychological complications; 2) explaining the syndrome of sadness after losing a pregnancy; 3) mental health and ways to improve it after pregnancy loss; and 4) self-esteem and how to increase it after losing a pregnancy and control group received only routine care. Before and 2 weeks after the end of the intervention, data were collected by the General Health Questionnaire-28 and Rosenberg self-esteem questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. The registration number was IRCT20100109003027N41.

Results

There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of sociodemographic characteristics and the scores of mental health and self-esteem before the intervention. Two weeks after the end of the intervention, the mean (SD) total score of mental health of women in counseling and control groups were 20.1 (5.0) and 32.9 (9.8), respectively. When compared with the control group, a significant reduction in the total score of mental health (adjusted difference = −11.27; 95% confidence interval: −15.19 to −7.34; p < .001) was observed in the counseling group. In counseling group compared with the control group, a significant increase in the total score of self-esteem (adjusted difference = 4.79; 95% confidence interval: 3.07–6.51; p < .001) was observed.

Conclusions

Providing counseling based on health promotion awareness by the midwife can help reduce mental health problems and increase self-esteem. For this reason, counseling should be considered as part of care after losing a pregnancy.

Keywords:

• Counseling
• ectopic pregnancy
• health promotion awareness
• intervention
• mental health
• self-esteem

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Acknowledgments

Our appreciation goes to the staff of the surgery ward of Al-Zahra hospital of Tabriz. We would also like to thank all participants of this study and wish that all those who do not have children fulfill their dreams.

Ethical review

The study was approved by the University of Medical Science Ethics Committee prior to the recruitment of participants (IR.TBZMED.REC.1397.223).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study has been funded by Deputy of Research, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences.