Authors:

I Uchmanowicz¹ , K Lomper¹ , B Prochota² , M Wleklik¹ , M Lisiak¹ , A Chudiak¹ , ¹Wroclaw Medical University, Department of Clinical Nursing - Wroclaw - Poland , ²Health Facility - Olesno - Poland ,

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is an increasingly important problem for public health. It is estimated that 1-2% of the world's population suffer from HF. The costs of hospitalization constitute a significant part of the total costs of treatment of HF patients. Therefore, there is a need to pay attention to the role of self-care in the therapeutic process of HF patients.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of socio-clinical variables on the self-care level in HF patients.

Methodology:The study included a sample of 100 patients diagnosed with HF (mean age: 73.78 years) hospitalized at the Department of Internal Medicine of the Health Care Centre in our city. The analysis of medical records and the own authorship questionnaire were used to collect basicsocio-clinical data. A standardized 9-item European Heart Failure Self-care Behavior Scale (EHFScB) questionnaire was used to assess the self-care level.

Results: Statistical analysis showed a significant difference in the level of self-care and such variables as marital status (p=0.001), taking Digoxin (p=0.002), taking diuretics (p=0.015), NYHA classification (p=0.001). Linear correlation showed that age was a negative predictor of the level of self-care (B=-0.356, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed a negative impact of the NYHA functional class IV on the self-care level of the study group patients (B=-23.595, p=0.048).

Conclusions: The socio-clinical factors have a significant impact on the level of self-care in HF patients. It is necessary to take interventions improving the level of self-care in HF patients.