Self-Care Levels and Related Factors in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of death worldwide. Uptake of self-care behaviors by patients with CAD could reduce hospital costs and negative social effects. Self-care among patients with CAD has not been studied in Iran. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we assessed self-care levels and related factors in patients with CAD in Iran. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 250 patients hospitalized in Razi hospital in Birjand city between 2023 and 2024 were selected. Data were collected by demographic questionnaire and the Inventory of Self-care in Coronary Heart Disease. Bivariate analyses and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Study participants were mostly male (62%), with elementary education (43.6%). The highest and the lowest scores were related to self-care maintenance (62.26 ± 15.14) and monitoring (45.66 ± 23.46), respectively. Smoking ( P < .001), employment status ( P = .020), hospitalization frequency, once ( P = .003) or twice ( P = .015), and emergency visits ( P = .008) were predictors of self-care maintenance. Gender ( P = .010), emergency visits ( P = .016), and comorbidities (diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and high blood pressure) or risk factors (2: P = .016; and 3: P = .003) were strong predictors of better self-care monitoring. Employment status ( P = .007), disease duration ( P = .011), and hospitalization frequency ( P = .033) were significant determinants of better self-care management. CONCLUSIONS: Demographic characteristics and social context influence self-care levels of patients with CAD living in Iran. Therefore, person-oriented and gender-focused interventions may empower these patients to engage in self-care. We recommend development and testing of such interventions in Iran.