Effectiveness of an Educational Program about Stress Management on Patients' Knowledge of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is an umbrella term for a group of heterogeneous pathophysiologic disorders inducing effortless movement of stomach contents into the esophagus, resulting in troublesome symptoms or complications. Objectives of the study are to assess patients' knowledge about stress management with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and to evaluate patients' knowledge about stress management with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, in addition, to determine the effectiveness of the educational program on patients' knowledge about stress management with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Also, to determine the relationship between patients' knowledge and their socio-demographic and clinical data. Quasi-experimental design was implemented in the present study by assigning patients randomly into two groups (study and control groups) by using pre and post-test procedures for both groups to determine the effectiveness of an educational program. The study started on April 2nd, 2023 until April 1st, 2024. A non-probability (purposive sample) technique was used to select 64 patients and included them in the present study. Data collected through a well-designed questionnaire consists of three parts: Part I: Socio-Demographic Characteristic. part II: Clinical Data and Part III: Patients' Knowledge of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Concerning stress management. The findings of the present study indicate that the overall patients’ knowledge about stress management after educational program application was good in the study group while in the control group, it was fair at post-test. In addition, there is a non-significant difference in the study group’s patients' knowledge at post-test according to their demographic and clinical data, at a p-value of more than 0.05 except level of education was significant at a p-value 0.014. The study concludes that the educational program positively affects patients' knowledge regarding stress management after GERD, and this effect has been proven. The study recommends that nursing education guidelines be prepared and up to date under the supervision of experts from the nursing and education authority for use by the health staff at the Ministry of Health as a standard in managing patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.