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.