Knowledge and self-care behaviors among patients with heart failure in Jordan

Knowledge is known to affect self-care behaviors. However, little is known about the factors that influence self-care behaviors among patients with heart failure in Jordan. A cross-sectional descriptive-correlational design was used to describe the associations between knowledge, sociodemographics, and self-care behaviors. In a convenience sample of 226 patients with heart failure, the Dutch Heart Failure Scale and Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) version 6.2 were used to measure knowledge and self-care behaviors, respectively. The mean heart failure knowledge score was quite low at 5.29. The SCHFI self-care management subscale mean was 57.56 with an actual range of 10-90, and the SCHFI self-care maintenance subscale mean was 53.89 with an actual range of 13.33-86.66. The SCHFI self-care confidence subscale mean was lowest of the three at 45.07, with an actual range of 5.56-94.52. All three subscale mean scores were below the clinical target level (≥70) for the SCHFI. Lower knowledge, income, and educational level, shorter duration of disease, fewer people living at home, older age, and being unemployed were significant predictors of low self-care scores. Characteristics of the cultural, social, and healthcare environment in Jordan may help explain some results. Nurses may play a role in improving knowledge and self-care among patients with heart failure in Jordan. Studies of the effect of educational programs on knowledge and self-care among patients with heart failure are recommended.