Caregiver education for pressure injury prevention among dependent older adults: a quasi-experimental study

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effects of a caregiver support and education system on caregivers' knowledge, pressure injury preventive practices, and pressure injury incidence among dependent older adults. Method: A quasi-experimental two-group pre- and post-test study was conducted with 80 caregiver-patient dyads recruited from four hospitals in Health Region 4, Thailand. The Experimental Group received a self-efficacy-based digital support system that included daily practice logs, demonstration videos, reminder messages, nurse consultations and stress management support, whereas the Control Group was provided the usual care. the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t test, independent t test, and chi-square test. Results: After being exposed to the self-efficacy-based digital support system, the Experimental Group had significantly higher knowledge scores than the Control Group (12.13±1.84 versus 10.88±2.16; p=0.007) and higher total preventive practice scores (28.40±5.84 versus 25.45±6.94; p=0.043). the skin cleaning practice also differed significantly (p=0.023). Pressure injury incidence was lower in the Experimental Group than in the Control Group (10.0% versus 12.5%), but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.72). Conclusion: The system improved caregivers' knowledge and preventive practices and should be integrated into discharge planning and transitional care.