Effectiveness of a Nurse-Led Educational Program on Ulcerative Colitis Patients' Knowledge and their lifestyle
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21928/uhdjst.v10n1y2026.pp58-68Keywords:
Ulcerative Colitis, Nurse-Led Educational Program, Patients’ Knowledge, Lifestyle ModificationAbstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects patients physically, psychologically, and socially. Nurse-led education has the potential to strengthen patient knowledge, encourage healthier behaviors, and support better disease management
Objective
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-led educational program on knowledge, lifestyle modification, and self- management in patients with ulcerative colitis.
Methods
A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 152 patients selected from 300 outpatients attending the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Teaching Hospital in Sulaimani City between August 2024 and August 2025. Participants were allocated into an intervention group (n = 76) and a control group (n = 76). The intervention group received an 8–12-week nurse-led program focusing on lifestyle modification, diet, physical activity, symptom management, and medication adherence, while the control group received standard care. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS version 24.
Results
Participants had a mean age of 41.1 years, with most residing in urban or suburban areas. After minor withdrawals, each group included 75 participants. The intervention group’s mean knowledge score increased markedly from 17.53 to 87.41. Before the program, most participants had poor lifestyle practices; after the intervention, 78.7% reached a fair level and 20% achieved a good level, compared with 89.3% of the control group remaining poor (p = 0.000).
Conclusion
The nurse-led educational program substantially improved patient knowledge and lifestyle behaviors, highlighting its value as part of routine care.
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