Self-care level among patients with coronary heart disease in Sri Lanka

Coronary heart disease (CHD) accounts for high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Adequate knowledge and self-care adherence (SCA) are crucial for the management and prevention of the disease.

The study aimed to assess knowledge of CHD, self-care adherence, and their correlates among clinic attendees in the Cardiology Clinic, Teaching Hospital, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 outpatients at the Cardiology Unit, using an interviewer-administered questionnaire covering socio-demographic, clinical, and behavioural factors, a culturally adapted heart disease knowledge questionnaire (HDKQ) and self-care of coronary heart disease inventory (SC-CHDI V3 English). Multivariate analysis was used to identify factors associated with self-care adherence.

The majority (72.3%, n=289) had inadequate CHD knowledge, and 58% (n=232) demonstrated inadequate SCA. Only 42% (n=168) had sufficient overall self-care, with 47.8% (n=191) adhering to self-care maintenance, 46.5% (n=186) to self-care monitoring, and 32% (n=129) to self-care management. Inadequate CAD knowledge (OR=0.49, CI=0.29-0.82), unmarried marital status (OR=0.43, CI=.21-0.89), low education level (OR=0.43, CI=0.27-0.7), smoking (OR=0.27, CI=0.15-0.49) were negatively associated with adequate self-care, while good family support (OR=2.34, CI=1.17-4.69) was positively associated.

CHD Knowledge and Overall self-care adherence were suboptimal, even among patients under specialised care. Hence, targeted local and national health promotion programs are essential to improve CHD knowledge and self-care adherence, prevent complications, and enhance patient outcomes.