The Effect of Interactive Virtual Psycho-Educational Interventions via Social Networks on Self-Efficacy and Anxiety Among Patients Infected with COVID-19 and Living in Home Quarantine: A Randomized Control Trial

BACKGROUND: Psycho-educational interventions might play a crucial role in the management of diseases. This study was conducted to determine the effect of psycho-educational interventions via social networks on self-efficacy and anxiety among Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in home quarantine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 72 COVID-19 patients, in Shiraz, Iran, in 2020. The patients were randomly assigned to an intervention and control group. Patients in the intervention group underwent psycho-educational interventions daily for 14 days. The data were collected using the Strategies Used by People to Promote Health (SUPPH) questionnaire and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before and 2 weeks after the intervention. RESULTS: After the intervention, the mean score of SUPPH was mean = 120.75 (16.56) and mean(SD) 111.27 (14.40) in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Moreover, after the intervention, the mean score of state and trait anxiety were 34.69 (10.75) and 38.31 (8.44) in the intervention group, and mean(SD) 45.75 (13.01) and 43.50 (8.44) in the control group, respectively. After the intervention, a difference was observed between the groups concerning the mean score of SUPPH (t(70) = 2.58; p = 0.01), state anxiety (F(1) = 16.52; p < 0.001), and trait anxiety (t(70) = −2.49; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Considering the effectiveness of psycho-educational interventions in self-efficacy and anxiety, healthcare providers are recommended to use these interventions in COVID-19 patients.