A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Self-instructional Module on Knowledge regarding Management of the Post Covid Syndrome among Recovered patients at selected Hospital, Puducherry

Moganaraman. D

Nursing Tutor, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, PKB College of Nursing, Perambai, Tamil Nadu, India.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: moganaram01@gmail.com

ABSTRACT:

Post COVID-19 condition, also known as long covid, refers to long-term symptoms that some people experience after they had COVID-19. The aim of the study is to assess the level of knowledge on management of Post Covid Syndrome among the recovered patients. The research approach selected for the study is quantitative evaluative approach with pre-experimental on one group pretest and post-test research design was used. Through Convenience Sampling Technique, 60 patients were selected at the hospital setting. Demographic variables and Clinical variables were collected by using a structured knowledge questionnaire. 3-4 samples were taken daily, administered self-instructional module on knowledge regarding the management of post covid syndrome and the posttest was conducted after 7 days by using same tools. The collected data were analyzed based on the objectives using descriptive and inferential statistics. Regarding the comparison of mean and standard deviation, in the pretest mean score of knowledge was 13.50±1.80 and the posttest mean score of knowledge was 19.58±2.22. The mean difference score was 6.08. The calculated paired ‘t’ test value of t=20.152 was found to be statistically significant at p<0.001 level. This clearly infers that Self – Instructional module on knowledge regarding management of the post covid syndrome administered among the recovered patients was found to be effective in increasing the level of knowledge among them in the post test. Hence Hypothesis H1 is accepted. There was significant association between the level of knowledge and demographic variable (education) and clinical variable (co morbid disease and treatment for comorbid diseases). Hence hypothesis H2 and H2 is accepted.

KEYWORDS: Self instructional module, level of knowledge, management of post covid syndrome.

INTRODUCTION:

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered corona virus. The causative agent of the disease has been confirmed as novel corona virus.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it is a pandemic. Corona virus is a SARS-COV-2 type and it spreads mainly from person to person among those in close contact. Post COVID-19 condition, also known as long covid, refers to long-term symptoms that some people experience after they had COVID-19. People who experience post COVID-19 condition sometimes refer to themselves as “long-haulers”.¹

NEED FOR THE STUDY:

According to WHO European Region, shows that around 10–20% of people infected by SARS-CoV-2 may go on to develop symptoms that can be diagnosed as long COVID. Although exact numbers of those living with the condition are uncertain, it is believed that more than 17 million people across the world may have experienced it during the first two years of the pandemic.²

According to Tripathi et.al (2021), India has presently achieved over 90% recovery. 9.5 million cases recovered out of 10 million reported as of December 19, 2020. However, as the cohort of survivors expands, it is now being realized that a parallel epidemic of the post-COVID syndrome/long COVID is emerging. A review of the available literature makes it evident that of those who survived COVID-19 illness; a significant proportion nearly 60%–80% is likely to experience a post-COVID syndrome up to 6 months after the active infective illness.³

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

A study to assess the effectiveness of self-instructional module on knowledge regarding management of the post-covid syndrome among recovered patients at selected hospital, Puducherry.

OBJECTIVES:

· To assess the level of knowledge regarding management of the post covid syndrome among recovered patients.

· To evaluate the effectiveness of self-instructional module on knowledge regarding the management of the post covid syndrome among recovered patients.

· To find association between the pre-test level of knowledge regarding the management of the post covid syndrome among recovered patients with the selected demographic variables.

· To find association between the pre-test level of knowledge regarding the management of the post covid syndrome among recovered patients with the selected clinical variables.

OPERATIONAL DEFINITION:

ASSESS:

Assess refers to a process of estimating the effectiveness of self-instructional module on knowledge regarding the management of the post covid syndrome among recovered patients.

EFFECTIVENESS:

Effectiveness refers to the expected level in the increase of knowledge among recovered patients from COVID-19 after the implementation of self-instructional module. It was measured by self-structured questionnaire.

SELF INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE:

Self-instructional module refers to the teaching material that specifically enables the persons to self-learn or independently learn by themselves regarding the management of post covid syndrome. It consists of definitions, signs and symptoms, management of post covid syndrome, pulmonary rehabilitation, deep breathing exercises, methods to relieve stress, activities and habits to be followed, foods to be taken, ways to protect the kidney, improving sleep pattern and cognitive functions of the patients after recovery from COVID-19.

KNOWLEDGE:

Knowledge refers to the familiarity and awareness of information which is acquired after the administration of self-instructional module on knowledge regarding management of post covid syndrome.

POST COVID SYNDROME:

The post covid syndrome refers to group symptoms such as brain fogging, dyspnea, cough, palpitation, myalgia, rashes, depression etc., that develop after an infection consistent with COVID-19 which continue for more than 12 weeks and are not explained by alternative diagnosis.

RECOVERED PATIENTS:

Recovered patients refers to the patient who has been cured or returned to the normal state from COVID-19 and admitted again for COVID-19 or for any other illness or co morbidities.

ASSUMPTIONS:

· The patients recovered from COVID-19 may have symptoms of post covid syndrome.

· Self-instructional module may enhance the level of knowledge regarding the management of the post covid syndrome.

HYPOTHESES:

H1: There is a significant difference between the pretest and posttest level of knowledge regarding the management of post covid syndrome among the recovered patients of COVID-19.

H2: There is significant association between the pretest level of knowledge regarding the management of post covid syndrome with the selected demographic variables.

H3: There is significant association between the pretest level of knowledge regarding the management of post covid syndrome with the selected clinical variables.

DELIMITATIONS:

· The study was delimited to selected hospital at Puducherry.

· The study was delimited to patients recovered from COVID-19.

· The study was delimited to 60 patients.

· The study was delimited to the 4 weeks period of data collection.

METHODOLOGY:

RESEARCH APPROACH:

Quantitative research approach was used for the present study.

RESEARCH DESIGN:

The research design adopted for the study was Pre experimental one group pre test posttest research design.

RESEARCH VARIABLES:

INDEPENDENT VARIABLES:

Self-instructional module on the management of the post covid syndrome.

DEPENDEDNT VARIABLES:

Level of knowledge regarding the management of the post covid syndrome among the recovered patients.

SETTING OF THE STUDY:

The study was conducted in SVMCH&RC, Ariyur, and Puducherry.

POPULATION:

The population of the study was patient recovered from COVID-19, who was admitted in SVMCH & RC, Ariyur.

SAMPLE:

The sample was COVID-19 recovered patients in SVMCH and RC, Puducherry and who fulfilled the inclusion criteria.

SAMPLE SIZE:

The sample size was 60 patients.

SAMPLING TECHNIQUES:

A non-probability convenience sampling technique was adopted for the study.

SAMPLING CRITERIA:

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

· Patients diagnosed and recovered from COVID-19.

· Patient admitted after 12 weeks from recovery of COVID-19.

· People who are available at the time of data collection.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

· People who are critically ill.

· Patients having chronic illness.

· People who are not willing to participate in the study.

TOOLS FOR RESEARCH:

The level of knowledge was assessed with the demographic and clinical variables. The developed tool was validated and found reliable using test retest method (Karl Pearson correlation coefficient) and the r value was 0.7.

DATA COLLECTION PROCESS:

After obtaining permission from the concerned authority and Institutional Ethical clearance from Indirani College Of Nursing. The investigator was given self-introduction and explanation about the study protocol to the samples. After this, informed consent was obtained from all the samples. The design adopted for the study was a pre experimental one group pre-test post-test design to assess the effectiveness of self-structure module on knowledge regarding management of post covid syndrome. A convenience sampling technique was used to select 60 selected in SVMCH&RC Ariyur, Puducherry. Pretest was done with a self-structured questionnaire. Post test was conducted after 7 days. The collected data were analyzed based on the above mentioned objectives using descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS:

Regarding the comparison of mean and standard deviation, in the pretest mean score of knowledge was 13.50±1.80 and the posttest mean score of knowledge was 19.58±2.22. The mean difference score was 6.08. The calculated paired ‘t’ test value of t=20.152 was found to be statistically significant at p<0.001 level. This clearly infers that Self – Instructional module on knowledge regarding management of the post covid syndrome administered among the recovered patients was found to be effective in increasing the level of knowledge among them in the post test. Hence Hypothesis H1 is accepted.

Regarding association between the pretest level of knowledge with the demographic variable, education (c²=6.625, p=0.036) had shown statistically significant association with the pretest level of knowledge regarding management of post-covid syndrome among the recovered patients at p<0.05 level. Hence Hypothesis H2 is accepted.

Regarding association between the pretest level of knowledge and the clinical variables having any comorbidity disease (c²=4.294, p=0.038) and treatment for any comorbid diseases (c²=4.104, p=0.043) had shown statistically significant association with the pretest level of knowledge regarding management of post-covid syndrome among the recovered patients at p<0.05 level. Hence Hypothesis H3 is accepted.

DISCUSSION OF THE RESEARCH FINDINGS:

The first objective was to assess the level of knowledge regarding management of the post covid syndrome among the recovered patients. In this study the result indicates that in the pretest among Covid 19 recovered patients, 46(76.67%) had moderately adequate knowledge and 14(23.33%) had inadequate knowledge and after the intervention 43(71.67%) had adequate knowledge and 17(28.33%) had moderately adequate knowledge regarding management of Post Covid syndrome among the recovered patients.

The second objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of self-instructional module on knowledge regarding the management of the post covid syndrome among the recovered patients In this study result indicate that in the pretest mean score of knowledge was 13.50±1.80 and the post test mean score of knowledge was 19.58±2.22. The mean difference score was 6.08. The calculated paired ‘t’ test value of t=20.152 was found to be statistically significant at p<0.001 level. This clearly infers that
Self – Instructional module on knowledge regarding management of the post covid syndrome administered among the recovered patients was found to be effective.

The third objective is to find association between the pre test level of knowledge regarding the management of the post covid syndrome among the recovered patients with demographic variables. In this study, the demographic variable education (c2=6.625, p=0.036) had shown statistically significant association with pre test level of knowledge regarding management of post covid syndrome among the recovered patients at p<0.05 level.

The fourth objective is to find association between the pre test level of knowledge regarding the management of the post covid syndrome among the recovered patients with clinical variables. In this study, the clinical variables having comorbidity disease (c2=4.294, p=0.038) and treatment for comorbid diseases (c2=4.104, p=0.043) had shown statistically significant association with pre test level of knowledge regarding management of Post Covid 19 syndrome among the recovered patients at p<0.05 level.

CONCLUSION:

The result of the study concluded that self instructional module was effective in enhancing the knowledge regarding management of post covid syndrome among recovered patients

IMPLICATION:

The findings of the study have practical application in the field of nursing. The implication of the study could be discussed in four areas namely: Nursing practice, Nursing administration, Nursing education and Nursing research.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

REFERENCES:

1. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)–World Health Organization. [cited 28 March 2023]. Available: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel coronavirus-2019/question-and-answers-hub/q-a-detail/coronavirusdisease-covid-19

2. World Health Organization (WHO), registry stated that globally, as Central European Summer Time (CEST), Available: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situationreports/20201012-weekly-epi-update-9.pdf

3. Tripathi, Awatansh Kumar Rajkumar; Pinto, Lancelot Mark. Long COVID: “And the fire rages on”. Lung India 38(6): 564-570, Nov–Dec 2021. | DOI: 10.4103/lungindia.lungindia_980_20 (Placeholder1)

Received on 16.07.2025 Revised on 07.08.2025

Accepted on 28.08.2025 Published on 31.10.2025

Available online from November 10, 2025

Int. J. of Advances in Nursing Management. 2025;13(4):224-228.

DOI: 10.52711/2454-2652.2025.00041

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