Efficacy of an Educational Manual on the Support Provided by Companions in an Obstetric Center: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational manual on the support provided by companions during the labor process in an obstetric center. Method: a Randomized Clinical Trial conducted with 248 participants, comprising 124 companions and 124 puerperal women. The study took place between November 2018 and October 2019 at an obstetric center in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. The Companion Characterization Form, the Support Evaluation Form, and the Postpartum Woman's Labor Experience and Satisfaction Evaluation Form were used. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences statistical program. Chi-square and Fisher tests were employed, as well as the Mann-Whitney test. The Relative Risk (RR) and the 95% Confidence Interval (CI) were calculated for the main dependent variables. Results: it was evident that the companions from the Intervention Group were more likely to engage in physical, emotional, informational and advocacy/intermediation support actions, with a statistically significant difference observed in all support dimensions when comparing both groups. The companions from the Intervention Group performed more support actions (20 vs 6; p:0.001) and rated the experience of accompanying the birth more favorably (100.0 vs 74.2; p:0.001). It was identified that the puerperal women accompanied by participants from the Intervention Group were more likely to express satisfaction with how the labor process took place. Conclusion: the intervention applied in the maternity unit using an educational manual aimed at parturients’ companions is effective and contributes to providing support during childbirth.