Exploring barriers to self-care behaviors: Beliefs of Jordanian patients with heart failure

Abstract Background: Heart failure is a prevalent cardiovascular disease. Despite the crucial role of self-care behaviors in reducing complications and hospitalizations, many patients continue to have difficulty adhering to these behaviors. However, the specific barriers that impede self-care behaviors among Jordanian patients with heart failure remain insufficiently understood. Purpose: This study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of barriers to self-care behaviors among Jordanian patients with heart failure. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted in outpatient medical clinics. Using purposive sampling, 22 Jordanian adults aged ?18 years who had a confirmed diagnosis of heart failure and were receiving regular care were recruited. Data were gathered through semi-structured in-depth interviews and analyzed using the six-phase reflexive thematic analysis framework. Results: Four main themes reflecting barriers to self-care behaviors emerged from the qualitative analysis: lack of self-care knowledge, financial burden, difficulty changing habits, and emotional distress. Participants described inadequate knowledge about disease management and self-care, financial constraints affecting access to medications and healthcare, difficulty modifying long-established health behaviors, and emotional challenges that interfered with adherence to recommended self-care practices. Conclusion: Patients with heart failure encounter various barriers to self-care behaviors, including knowledge-related, financial, behavioral, and emotional challenges. These findings highlight the need for healthcare providers to recognize these barriers and implement interventions to enhance self-care behaviors among patients with heart failure.