Investigating the effect of a self-care application on the knowledge of women with pelvic organ prolapse: A randomized controlled trial

Mousavi, Zohra; Hadizadeh-TalaSaz2, Zahra; Mohajeri, Taraneh; Jamali, Jamshid

Volume 14, Issue 1 (3-2026) jmsthums 2026, 14(1): 1-13 | Back to browse issues page

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Mousavi Z, Hadizadeh-TalaSaz2 Z, Mohajeri T, Jamali J. Investigating the effect of a self-care application on the knowledge of women with pelvic organ prolapse: A randomized controlled trial. jmsthums 2026; 14 (1) :1-13
URL: http://jms.thums.ac.ir/article-1-1463-en.html

Investigating the effect of a self-care application on the knowledge of women with pelvic organ prolapse: A randomized controlled trial

Zohra Mousavi¹

, Zahra Hadizadeh-TalaSaz2²

, Taraneh Mohajeri³

, Jamshid Jamali⁴

1- Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2- Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecologist, Mashhad Azad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
4- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran & Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract: (16 Views)

Background & Aim: Pelvic organ prolapse is a significant issue worldwide. However, many women with this condition have little knowledge about it. Access to treatment and self-management for this condition can be supported through self-care applications. The present study aimed to determine the effect of a self-care application on the knowledge of women with pelvic organ prolapse.
Methods: The present study was a clinical trial conducted in 2024 and 2023. The first phase involved the preparation of self-care content, app design, validation, and the second phase was the clinical trial. The inclusion criteria for participants were having symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse, physician confirmation of prolapse ≥ III, being literate, having and being able to use an Android smartphone. A total of 64 women were randomly assigned to the application group and the control group. After the visit, the control group received training in the form of pamphlets and face-to-face, and the intervention group received a self-care app. The knowledge of the participants was measured using the knowledge questionnaire on prolapse and urinary incontinence. The research data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 software.
Results: The results of the statistical tests showed that the demographic characteristics of the two intervention and control groups were homogeneous. Prior to the intervention, there was no significant difference in the mean and standard deviation of knowledge between the two groups (p=0.740). After the intervention, the mean and standard deviation of knowledge of pelvic organ prolapse in the intervention group was 59.77±9.97 and in the control group was 46.60±12.28. The difference was found to be significant through an independent t-test (p<0.001). Furthermore, the standard deviation of knowledge for urinary incontinence in the intervention group was 55.74±9.47, compared to 84.47±11.69 in the control group. The Mann-Whitney test also showed this difference to be significant (p=0.012).
Conclusion: The results showed that the implemention of targeted educational programs through an application with appropriate educational content is effective in improving users' knowledge.

Keywords: pelvic organ prolapse, application, self-care, quality of life, Knowledge of prolapse and urinary incontinence

Full-Text [PDF 473 kb] (40 Downloads)

Type of Study: Research | Subject: Special
Received: 2025/07/7 | Accepted: 2025/10/18 | Published: 2026/06/29

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