Factors Predicting Self-Care of Patients with Heart Failure in Central Region, Thailand

Abstract

Introduction: Self-care is highly-recommended for patients with heart failure (HF).  Despite certain self-care programs were developed for them, most HF patients are unable to effectively manage factors influencing their illness.

Research objectives: This study aimed to identify predictive factors related to self-care in patients with HF in Central Region, Thailand.

Research methodology: This study used a descriptive-predictive design. A simple random sampling technique was used to recruit 185 patients with HF from 3 hospitals in the central region, Thailand. The selected factors included 1) health belief, 2) health survey, 3) illness perception, 4) self–efficacy, 5) knowledge of HF, and 6) cardiac function. Data were collected using the self-reported questionnaires, and the personal health record. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and multiple regression analysis.

Results:  Findings revealed that the overall self-care of patients with HF was at a fair level. Health belief, self-efficacy, and knowledge of HF were positively associated with self-care (r = .377, .430, and .349, respectively). Illness perception was negatively related to self-care (r = -.279). Cardiac function, and health status were not related to self-care. Moreover, self-efficacy, and knowledge of HF could significantly predict 23 percent of the variance of self-cares (R² = .230, p = .001). Results of multiple regression analysis revealed that self-efficacy, and knowledge of HF together explained 23.0% (R² = .230, p = .001) of the variance in self-care.

Conclusions: Self–efficacy was the strongest predictor for self-care in patients with HF (ß = .351, p = .001), followed by knowledge of HF (ß = .226, p = .001).

Implications: Findings can be used to develop nursing activities that focus on promoting self-care with less limitations for patients with HF to attain appropriate and continuous self-care.