The effect of preoperative education program to reduce anxiety in patients before thyroidectomy on knowledge, anxiety, and behavior in outpatient department at Sunpasitthiprasong Hospital.

Abstract

     This study was a quasi-experimental research with the objective of comparing the mean scores of knowledge regarding thyroid surgery, health behavior before and after thyroid surgery, and anxiety levels before and after receiving an educational program. Additionally, the study aimed to compare the mean scores of these variables between the experimental group and the comparison group. A total of 60 participants were selected using purposive sampling. They were divided into two groups: 30 participants in the experimental group, who received the educational program, and 30 in the comparison group, who received standard information. The study was conducted over a period of eight weeks, from July 24 to August 24, 2025. Data were collected using personal information questionnaires, knowledge and behavior assessment forms related to pre- and post-operative care, and anxiety assessment forms. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (percentage and standard deviation), paired sample t-test, and independent t-test.

     The research findings revealed that after the intervention, there were statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups in terms of mean scores for knowledge regarding self-care (t = 16.03, 95% CI = 6.62 to 8.51), anxiety levels (t = 43.76, 95% CI = 23.58 to 25.88), and self-care behavior (t = 35.3, 95% CI = 1.40 to 1.57), with p < 0.000. However, prior to the intervention, there were no statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups in knowledge, anxiety, or self-care behavior.