Effect of Continuous Care Model on Recurrence of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Infection among Pregnant Women

Background: Recurrent Vulvovaginal candidiasis infection is a global health problem for pregnant women associated with negative impacts on sexual and family lives that requires specific control practices. Aim: The present research aimed to evaluate the effect of the continuous care model on the recurrence of vulvovaginal candidiasis infection among pregnant women. Design: Quasi-experimental research (two groups, time series pre/posttest/follow-up design) was utilized. Sample: A purposive sample of 110 pregnant women were assigned randomly into two equal groups: a study group (55 receiving continuous care model implementation) and a control group (55 receiving routine hospital care). Setting: The present research was conducted at the obstetrics and gynecological outpatient clinic affiliated with Beni-Suef University Hospital. Tools: Three tools utilized included a structured interviewing questionnaire, a women's self-reported hygienic practices sheet, and a follow-up sheet. Results: There were improvements in total levels of the study group’s knowledge and self-care practices post three and six months of continuous care model implementation compared with the control group regarding recurrence of vulvovaginal candidiasis infection. Also, less than half of women in the study group had a recurrence of vulvovaginal candidiasis infection compared to more than three-quarters of the control group after three and six months of continuous care model implementation. Moreover, there was a highly significant positive correlation between total knowledge and total hygienic practice of the study and control groups pre- and post-three- and six-month care model implementation (p≤0.001). As well as a highly statistically significant negative correlation between frequency of recurrence of vulvovaginal candidiasis infection, total hygienic practices, and total knowledge score in the study and control groups post-three and six months of care model implementation (p≤0.001). Conclusion: The continuous care model efficiently improved knowledge and hygienic practices and lowered episodes of recurrence of vulvovaginal candidiasis infection among pregnant women in the study group compared to those in the control group. Recommendation: Implementing a continuous care model for all pregnant women with vulvovaginal candidiasis infection to enhance their knowledge and self-care practices and lower the episode recurrence of vulvovaginal candidiasis infection.