Effectiveness of self-perineal care versus sitz bath on episiotomy wound healing among postnatal mothers in a Nigerian primary healthcare center: a quasi-experimental study

Abstract

Care of the episiotomy site during the postnatal period has been a controversial issue in maternal care as some scholars have argued over the effectiveness of self-perineal care and sitz bath on episiotomy wound healing. This study assessed and compared the effectiveness of self-perineal care and sitz bath on episiotomy wound healing among postnatal mothers. A quasi-experimental design was adopted for the study. Twenty (20) postnatal mothers who met the inclusion criteria were recruited using a non-random, consecutive allocation method into experimental group (Self-perineal care) and control group (Sitz bath). Researchers-developed questionnaire and a standardized observational checklist-REEDA scale (redness, edema, ecchymosis, discharge, approximation of wound edges) were used for data collection. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (student’s t-test and Chi-square test) at 0.05 level of significance. Both self-perineal care and sitz bath were effective for episiotomy wound healing, with sitz bath being more effective with a reduction in REEDA mean scores on 1st day and 5th day of 8.90 ± 2.93 vs. 1.60 ± 2.12 and 7.70 ± 3.04 vs. 0.00 ± 0.00 for self-perineal care and sitz bath groups respectively (t-test = 3.40; p-value = 0.004). Maternal education and occupation had significant association with the use of sitz bath ( p = 0.000 & 0.001 respectively) while maternal education and parity had significant association with the use of self-perineal care ( p = 0.001 & 0.029 respectively). Sitz bath was found to be more effective than self-perineal care for episiotomy wound healing. Thus, the need to improve mothers’ education to enhance the adoption of effective post-natal wound healing practices.