Analysis of factors associated with self-care of heart failure patients in outpatient centre

BACKGROUND: Heart failure can lead to various problems such as worsening of symptoms, rehospitalisation, and even death. To overcome these problems, self-care is an effective strategy. Self-care has been shown to reduce worsening of symptoms, rehospitalisation, and death. Factors that influence self-care include knowledge, health literacy, and social support. The importance of understanding these factors is to improve patient health outcomes and prevent exacerbation of heart failure conditions. The aim of this study was to analyse the factors that may influence self-care of heart failure patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional design. The sample in this study included 200 heart failure patients receiving treatment at the outpatient centre, selected by purposive sampling technique. The instruments used include Self-Care Heart Failure Instrument (SCHFI), The Dutch Heart Failure a Scale (DHFKS), Cardiac Self-Efficacy Scale (CSES), Heart Failure-Specific Health Literacy Scale, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). The statistical test used in this study was multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The results of the analysis showed a good level of fit with an adjusted R² value of 0.726 ( P value = 0.000), indicating that the model was able to explain most of the variability in Self-care. CONCLUSIONS: Self-care among heart failure patients is profoundly affected by health literacy, knowledge, self-efficacy, and social support, with health literacy making the most important impact. Multilevel interventions combining these factors are essential to improve chronic disease outcomes and reduce healthcare burdens.