Reproductive health of women with endometriosis: an improving educational intervention based on the planned behavior theory

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is a chronic deliberating disease with devastating effects on reproductive health. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of education based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) on the reproductive health of women with endometriosis. This research was a randomized controlled trial performed on 71 women with endometriosis (35 intervention and 36 control groups) referred to the infertility clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran, Iran. The educational intervention based on the structures of the TPB was performed in the intervention group in 4 sessions, weekly for 90–120 min. The demographic questionnaire, model constructs questionnaire, and endometriosis reproductive health questionnaire (ERHQ) in both groups were completed in 3 stages (before intervention, 4, and 8 weeks after the intervention). Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 24. RESULTS: After the educational intervention, TPB values and overall reproductive health of women with endometriosis improved significantly in the intervention group (p < 0.05), while changes were not significant in the control group. CONCLUSION: The study results showed that education based on the TPB had positive effects on the reproductive health of patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT20120414009463N64. Registered 21 Jun 2021 - Retrospectively registered, http://www.irct.ir/trial/53341. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43043-023-00129-7.