Health Literacy but Not Frailty Predict Self-Care Behaviors in Patients with Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a chronic condition requiring continuous self-care. Health literacy is increasingly recognized as a key factor of self-care behaviors in patients with chronic diseases. Recently, frailty in chronic diseases has also been associated with self-care behaviors. However, relationships among health literacy, frailty, and self-care in the HF population are not well understood. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to identify the impact of health literacy and frailty on self-care behaviors in patients with HF. Data were collected from 281 adults attending a cardiovascular outpatient clinic in Korea. Health literacy, frailty, and self-care behaviors were measured using Korean-validated instruments. The mean scores of health literacy and self-care behaviors were 8.89 (±3.44) and 31.49 (±5.38), respectively. The prevalence of frailty was around 26.3%. Health literacy was significantly associated with frailty and self-care behaviors. In a hierarchical linear regression analysis, health literacy was a significant determinant of self-care behaviors after adjusting for confounding variables, but frailty was not. Educational level was also a significant predictor of self-care behaviors. Our main findings showed that health literacy can facilitate improvements in HF self-care behaviors. Healthcare professionals should assess patients’ health literacy and educational backgrounds when designing self-management programs.

Download Full-text

Social Support and Self- Care Behaviour among Heart Failure Patients

Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal ◽

10.21834/e-bpj.v4i12.1906 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (12) ◽

pp. 165

Author(s):

Husna Ahmad Ainuddin ◽

Siti Salwa Talib ◽

Mohd Zhafran Zainal Abidin ◽

Diana Katiman

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Social Support ◽

Clinical Training ◽

Publishing House ◽

Self Care ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Training Centre ◽

Heart Failure Patients ◽

The Impact

Heart failure is a disease that could cause a significant medical burden. This study aims to determine the relationship between social support and self-care behaviour among heart failure patients. Thirty patients from a Clinical Training Centre participated in this cross-sectional study. Instruments used in the study were the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and The European Heart Failure Self-care Behaviour Scale-9 item (EHFSCBC). The results showed that there was a relationship between social support and self-care behaviour (r=0.40, p<0.05). Awareness of the impact of social support on self-care behaviour is vital for heart failure patients and their families.Keywords: Heart failure, social support, self-care behavioureISSN: 2398-4287 © 2019. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open-access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v4i12.1906

Download Full-text

Correlation of Altmetric Attention Scores with Citations in Major Pharmacy Journals (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.13129 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Dave L Dixon ◽

William L Baker

Keyword(s):

Citation Count ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Scientific Output ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Promotion And Tenure ◽

Article Type ◽

Key Factor ◽

Number Of Citations ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND The impact and quality of a faculty members publications is a key factor in promotion and tenure decisions and career advancement. Traditional measures, including citation counts and journal impact factor, have notable limitations. Since 2010, alternative metrics have been proposed as another means of assessing the impact and quality of scholarly work. The Altmetric Attention Score is an objective score frequently used to determine the immediate reach of a published work across the web, including news outlets, blogs, social media, and more. Several studies evaluating the correlation between the Altmetric Attention Score and number of citations have found mixed results and may be discipline-specific. OBJECTIVE To determine the correlation between higher Altmetric Attention Scores and citation count for journal articles published in major pharmacy journals. METHODS This cross-sectional study evaluated articles from major pharmacy journals ranked in the top 10% according to the Altmetric Attention Score. Sources of attention that determined the Altmetric Attention Score were obtained, as well each articles open access status, article type, study design, and topic. Correlation between journal characteristics, including the Altmetric Attention Score and number of citations, was assessed using the Spearman’s correlation test. A Kruskal-Wallis 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the Altmetric Attention Scores between journals. RESULTS Six major pharmacy journals were identified. A total of 1,376 articles were published in 2017 and 137 of these represented the top 10% with the highest Altmetric Attention Scores. The median Altmetric Attention Score was 19 (IQR 15-28). Twitter and Mendeley were the most common sources of attention. Over half (56.2%) of the articles were original investigations and 49.8% were either cross-sectional, qualitative, or cohort studies. No significant correlation was found between the Altmetric Attention Score and citation count (rs=0.07, P = 0.485). Mendeley was the only attention source that correlated with the number of citations (rs=0.486, P<0.001). The median Altmetric Attention Score varied widely between each journal (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The overall median Altmetric Attention score of 19 suggests articles published in major pharmacy journals are near the top 5% of all scientific output. However, we found no correlation between the Altmetric Attention Score and number of citations for articles published in major pharmacy journals in the year 2017.

Download Full-text

The impact of health literacy on health outcomes in individuals with chronic pain: a cross-sectional study

Physiotherapy ◽

10.1016/j.physio.2018.11.006 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 105 (3) ◽

pp. 346-353

Author(s):

Laura M. Mackey ◽

Catherine Blake ◽

Maire-Brid Casey ◽

Camillus K. Power ◽

Ray Victory ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Pain ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact

Download Full-text

Knowledge about self-care and associated factors among heart-failure patients in Ayder Referral Hospital, Ethiopia, 2018: A cross-sectional study

Proceedings of Singapore Healthcare ◽

10.1177/2010105820962141 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 201010582096214

Author(s):

Tsegu Hailu Gebru ◽

Haftea Hagos Mekonen ◽

Kbrom Gemechu Kiros

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

New York ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Self Care ◽

Heart Association ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Referral Hospital ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Knowledge Age

Background: Good knowledge of self-care related to heart failure (HF) is key to improve patient outcomes. However, information regarding how much patients know about self-care is lacking in developing countries, particularly in the study setting. Objective: The objectives of this study were to assess HF patients’ knowledge about self-care and to explore predictors among HF patients in Ayder comprehensive specialised referral hospital, Tigray, Ethiopia. Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study design was undertaken in Ayder comprehensive specialised referral hospital, Tigray, Ethiopia. A total of 408 HF patients participated, and the study was done between February and April 2018. An interviewer-assisted structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Bivariate logistic regression and multivariable logistic regression were conducted to identify the predictors associated with knowledge about self-care. Results: The mean age of the participants was 45.4 years (standard deviation=19 years). Around 255 (62.5%) of the participants had poor self-care knowledge. Age, New York Heart Association classes, duration of the disease and previous hospitalisation were the factors associated with knowledge about self-care. Conclusion: More than half of all participants had poor knowledge about self-care. Improving existing prevention strategies and strengthening patients’ knowledge are recommended to address this knowledge deficit.

Download Full-text

Paradox of self-care gender differences among Italian patients with chronic heart failure: findings from a real-world cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-021966 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (9) ◽

pp. e021966 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Federica Dellafiore ◽

Cristina Arrigoni ◽

Francesco Pittella ◽

Gianluca Conte ◽

Arianna Magon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Gender Differences ◽

Chronic Heart Failure ◽

Real World ◽

Self Care ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Caregiver Relationship

AimThe aim of this study was to critically analyse and describe gender differences related to self-care among patients with chronic heart failure (HF).Methods and resultsA monocentric real-world cohort of 346 patients with chronic HF in follow-up was used for this cross-sectional study. We report data related to the cohort’s demographic and clinical characteristics. Self-care was assessed using the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index before patients’ discharge. After bivariate analysis, logistical regression models were used to describe the relationship between gender, self-care behaviours and self-care confidence. While men were found to have more than quadruple the risk of poor self-care than women (OR 4.596; 95% CI 1.075 to 19.650), men were also found to be approximately 60% more likely to have adequate self-care confidence than women (OR 0.412; 95% CI 0.104 to 0.962). Considering that self-care confidence is described as a positive predictor of behaviours, our results suggest a paradox. It is possible that the patient–caregiver relationship mediates the effect of confidence on behaviours. Overall, adequate levels of self-care behaviours are a current issue, ranging 7.6%–18.0%.ConclusionThis study sets the stage for future research where elements of the patient–caregiver relationship ought to be considered to inform the planning of appropriate educational interventions. We recommend routinely measuring patients’ self-care behaviours to guide their follow-up and as a basis for any changes in their daily life behaviours.

Download Full-text

Relationship between housing insecurity, diabetes processes of care, and self-care behaviors

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-022-07468-7 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Elise Mosley-Johnson ◽

Rebekah J. Walker ◽

Madhuli Thakkar ◽

Jennifer A. Campbell ◽

Laura Hawks ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Employment Status ◽

Self Care ◽

Logistic Models ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Behavioral Risk ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Processes Of Care ◽

Flu Vaccine ◽

Race Ethnicity ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background The aim of this analysis was to examine the influence of housing insecurity on diabetes processes of care and self-care behaviors and determine if that relationship varied by employment status or race/ethnicity. Methods Using nationally representative data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2014-2015), 16,091 individuals were analyzed for the cross-sectional study. Housing insecurity was defined as how often respondents reported being worried or stressed about having enough money to pay rent/mortgage. Following unadjusted logistic models testing interactions between housing insecurity and either employment or race/ethnicity on diabetes processes of care and self-care behaviors, stratified models were adjusted for demographics, socioeconomic status, health insurance status, and comorbidity count. Results 38.1% of adults with diabetes reported housing insecurity. Those reporting housing insecurity who were employed were less likely to have a physicians visit (0.58, 95%CI 0.37,0.92), A1c check (0.45, 95%CI 0.26,0.78), and eye exam (0.61, 95%CI 0.44,0.83), while unemployed individuals were less likely to have a flu vaccine (0.84, 95%CI 0.70,0.99). Housing insecure White adults were less likely to receive an eye exam (0.67, 95%CI 0.54,0.83), flu vaccine (0.84, 95%CI 0.71,0.99) or engage in physical activity (0.82, 95%CI 0.69,0.96), while housing insecure Non-Hispanic Black adults were less likely to have a physicians visit (0.56, 95%CI 0.32,0.99). Conclusions Housing insecurity had an influence on diabetes processes of care and self-care behaviors, and this relationship varied by employment status and race/ethnicity. Diabetes interventions should incorporate discussion surrounding housing insecurity and consider differences in the impact by demographic factors on diabetes care.

Download Full-text

Non-health outcomes affecting self-care behaviors and medical decision-making preference in patients with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study

10.21203/rs.2.21066/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ming-Jye Wang ◽

Hung-Ming Lin ◽

Li-Chen Hung ◽

Yi-Ting Lo

Keyword(s):

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Decision Making ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Patient Empowerment ◽

Self Care ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Medical Decision ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Background: The effects of patient sustained self-care behaviors on glycemic control are even greater than the effects of medical treatment, indicating the value of identifying the factors that influence self-care behaviors. To date, these factors have not been placed in a single model to clarify the critical path affecting self-care behaviors. The aims of this study were to explore the relationships of these factors and the differences in patient preference for medical decision-making.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among outpatients with type 2 diabetes at a regional teaching hospital. Purposive sampling was adopted to recruit 316 eligible patients via self-administered questionnaires. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used for analysis.Results: Significant direct pathways were identified from health literacy to self-efficacy, patient empowerment, and self-care behaviors; from self-efficacy to self-care behaviors; and from patient empowerment to self-care behaviors. Indirect pathways were from health literacy to self-care behaviors via self-efficacy or patient empowerment. The pathway from health literacy to self-efficacy was significantly stronger in those preferring shared decision-making than in those who preferred physician decision-making. Conclusions: Health literacy is a critical factor in improving self-care behaviors in patients with type 2 diabetes, and the effect of health literacy on self-efficacy was more significant in the shared decision-making than in the physician decision-making. Therefore, developing an effective health strategy to strengthen health literacy awareness and designing friendly, diverse health literacy materials, and application tools is the most important factor to facilitate self-care behaviors in this population.

Download Full-text

Frailty syndrome in the elderly in elderly with chronic diseases in Primary Care

Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP ◽

10.1590/s1980-220x2018002603449 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 53 ◽

Author(s):

Ingrid Alves Ribeiro ◽

Luciano Ramos de Lima ◽

Cris Renata Grou Volpe ◽

Silvana Schwerz Funghetto ◽

Tânia Cristina Maria Santa Barbara Rehem ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Diseases ◽

Self Care ◽

Federal District ◽

The Elderly ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Frailty Syndrome ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Nursing Diagnosis ◽

Quantitative Descriptive ◽

Care Deficit

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the frailty syndrome in the elderly nursing diagnosis in elderly with chronic diseases of a health district of the Federal District. Method: A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with elderly patients served at the Basic Health Units, who presented arterial hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus. The following were used: a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Mini-Mental State Examination, anthropometric data, evaluation of sarcopenia (measured by body composition), muscle strength and functional capacity, and the identification of NANDA-I nursing diagnosis. A statistical software was used for data analysis. Results: Participation of 78 elderly people, of which 93.6% of had Impaired memory, 93.6% had Impaired physical mobility, 82.1% had Fatigue, 76.9% had Impaired ambulation, 53.8% had Dressing self-care deficit, 43.6% had Activity Intolerance, 35.9% had Social Isolation, 30.8% had Hopelessness, 29.5% had Feeding self-care deficit, 29.5% had Bathing self-care deficit, 12.8% had Toileting self-care deficit, and 10.3% had Decreased cardiac output. Conclusion: The nursing diagnosis Frailty Syndrome in the Elderly allows a multidimensional view of the elderly. Since one factor can cause health problems in several health fields, nurses must intervene early, plan and implement actions in the short and long term.

Download Full-text

Exploring health literacy in Wuhan, China: a cross-sectional analysis

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-020-09520-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xin Mei ◽

Qing Zhong ◽

Gong Chen ◽

Yuanxia Huang ◽

Junlin Li

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Education Levels ◽

Chi Square Test

Abstract Background In recent years, research on health literacy has become increasingly focused on the health care system and public health. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate health literacy and analyse the risk factors that affect health literacy in Wuhan, China. Methods Multistage stratified random sampling was used to select 5304 urban and rural residents aged 15 to 69 years from 204 monitoring points in 15 districts of Wuhan. Using the Chinese Citizen Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) (2018 edition), a face-to-face survey was conducted from November to December 2018. Risk factors that may affect health literacy were assessed using the Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression models. Results The knowledge rate of health literacy was relatively low (19.3%). The knowledge rate of health-related behaviour and lifestyle (BAL, 17.3%) was the lowest of the three aspects of health literacy, and the knowledge rate of chronic diseases (CD, 19.0%) was the lowest of the six dimensions of health literacy. Respondents who lived in urban areas, had higher education levels, worked as medical staff, had a higher household income and did not suffer from chronic diseases were likely to have higher health literacy. Conclusions The health literacy levels of citizens in Wuhan are insufficient and need to improve.

Download Full-text