Self-Care Behaviors and its Influencing Factors Among Patients With Heart Failure in Karachi, Pakistan; A Mixed Method Study

Volume 7 Issue 4 November - January 2018

Research Paper

Self-Care Behaviors and its Influencing Factors Among Patients With Heart Failure in Karachi, Pakistan; A Mixed Method Study

Ambreen Gowani*, Raisa Gul**, Sajid Dhakam***

* Senior Instructor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.

** Dean and Professor, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Pakistan.

*** Director, Cardiac Services, The Indus Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.

Gowani,A., Gul,R., and Dhakam,S. (2018). Self-Care Behaviors and Its Influencing Factors Among Patients With Heart Failure In Karachi, Pakistan; A Mixed Method Study. i-manager’s Journal on Nursing, 7(4), 16-26. https://doi.org/10.26634/jnur.7.4.13899

Abstract

Self-care in Heart Failure (HF) is essential to maintain Quality Of Life (QOL) and reduce hospital read missions. There are several factors affecting the self care among HF patients. To explore the Self Care Behaviors (SCB) and its influencing factors, a descriptive explanatory study a mixed method approach (QUANTI-quali) was employed. The SCB among HF patients was explored via a cross sectional survey whereas the influencing factors were explored through qualitative inquiry. The overall level of SCB was low with only 7% patients adhering to the desired SCB. The highest adhered SCB was taking medications (86%) whereas, the lowest was contacting physician for weight gain (10%). Moreover, patients' financial status, education, experience of the illness, family support, and self-control were the key factors that influenced the SCB of the patients. This study has implications for health care providers and policymakers to establish HF management programs for patients in our culture.