Examining the effect of the computer-based educational package on quality of life and severity of hypogonadism symptoms in males

Aging Male. 2018 Jun;21(2):85-92. doi: 10.1080/13685538.2017.1401992. Epub 2017 Nov 20.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the computer-based educational package on men's QoL and the severity of their hypogonadism symptoms.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 80 male employees. The data collection tool included the 'Aging Male Symptoms' (AMS) and 'Short Form-36' (SF36) questionnaires. Four sessions were held for the intervention group over a period of 4 weeks. Two months after training, QoL and the severity of hypogonadism symptoms were measured in both the intervention and control groups. The data were analyzed with SPSS 22 software and statistical tests, such as χ2, independent t-test, Fisher's exact test, and paired t-tests.

Results: Significant statistical changes were observed in the intervention group before and 2 months after the training in the QoL score in the overall dimensions of physical-psychological health and all its domains except for three domains of emotional role, social function, and pain. Furthermore, the paired t-tests showed significant differences between 2 months before and after the training in all the domains and the overall hypogonadism score in the intervention group.

Conclusions: Based on our findings, the computer-based educational package has a positive effect on QoL and reduction of hypogonadism symptoms.

Keywords: Hypogonadism; computer-based training; quality of life.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Computer-Assisted Instruction*
  • Humans
  • Hypogonadism / psychology*
  • Iran
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Non-Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Patient Education as Topic / methods*
  • Quality of Life / psychology*
  • Severity of Illness Index