Using a Patient Educational Video to Improve Knowledge of Maternal Mortality Warning Signs: A Randomized Controlled...

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Patient Education
• Public Health

Background:

• Postpartum maternal mortality remains a significant concern.
• Effective patient education on warning signs is crucial for timely intervention.
• Community-informed approaches may enhance educational efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate if a community-informed, language-concordant video education campaign improves postpartum patients' knowledge of maternal mortality warning signs.
• To compare the video education intervention against routine discharge procedures.

Main Methods:

• A single-center, randomized controlled trial was conducted with postpartum individuals.
• Participants were randomized to either routine discharge education or routine education plus video education.
• Knowledge of warning signs for infection, hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, and postpartum depression was assessed via questionnaires before and after education.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant difference was found in the percentage of participants who improved their knowledge scores (64.5% vs 50.0%, P=.09).
• The median post-education questionnaire score was significantly higher in the video education group (14 vs 13, P=.003).
• Participants receiving video education reported higher satisfaction and found the videos more helpful, though not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

• A novel video-based postpartum education strategy did not significantly increase the frequency of improved knowledge scores.
• The video intervention was associated with increased patient satisfaction with postpartum care.
• Further research may explore optimizing video content and delivery for enhanced knowledge acquisition.