Educational Program Boosts Constipation Knowledge in Coronary Artery Disease Patients

Constipation is a prevalent condition causing substantial morbidity and commonly presenting to healthcare providers, with associations reported between constipation and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aims to evaluate the effect of an instructional program on constipation knowledge in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Conducted at Nasiriyah Heart Center from January 2, 2023, to March 19, 2024, this quantitative, quasi-experimental study used purposive sampling to select 64 CAD patients with constipation. These were divided into a study group (n=32) and a control group (n=32). The program's content validity and the knowledge test were confirmed by a panel of 17 experts, and reliability was assessed using a test-retest approach. Statistical analysis using SPSS version 25 revealed highly significant differences in knowledge scores between pre- and post-tests and between the study and control groups (p<0.01). The study group's mean knowledge score improved from 1.56 to 2.50, while the control group's score remained virtually unchanged (1.57 to 1.62). The instructional program significantly enhanced patients' knowledge about constipation. The study recommends broad health education efforts on constipation, physical activity, dietary intake, and toileting habits through various media to elevate patients' knowledge.