Key result
Women referred to cardiac rehabilitation who did not enroll reported significantly greater total barriers to participation than men (mean CRBS-P score 2.37 vs 2.29, p<0.001).
Why the study?
Cardiac rehabilitation remains under-utilized, particularly by women, prompting an evaluation of sex differences in barriers among non-enrollees in Iran.
Cross-Sectional (n=1,053)
No
Women in a lower gender equality setting face significantly greater logistical and comorbidity-related barriers to cardiac rehabilitation participation than men, highlighting the need for tailored, home-based programs.
Women face distinct CR barriers in Iran; leaves open whether targeted strategies boost enrollment in low-equality settings.
Background Despite the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), it remains under-utilized, particularly by women. This study compared CR barriers between non-enrolling men and women in Iran, which has among the lowest gender equality globally. Methods In this cross-sectional study, CR barriers were assessed via phone interview in phase II non-attenders from March 2017 to February 2018 with the Persian version of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale (CRBS-P). T-tests were used to compare scores, with each of 18 barriers scored out of 5, between men and women. Results 357 (33.9%) of the sample of 1053 were women, and they were older, less educated and less often employed than men. Total mean CRBS scores were significantly greater in women (2.37 ± .37) than men (2.29 ± .35; p < .001). The top CR barriers among women were cost (3.35, P < 0.001), transportation problems (3.24, P < 0.001), distance (3.21, P < 0.001), comorbidities (2.97, P < 0.001), low energy (2.41, P < 0.001), finding exercise as tiring or painful (2.22, P = 0.018), and older age (2.27, P = 0.001). Men rated "already exercise at home or in community" (2.69, P = 0.001), time constraints (2.18, P < 0.001) and work responsibilities (2.24, P = 0.001) as greater CR barriers than women. Conclusion Women had greater barriers to CR participation than men. CR programs should be modified to address women’s needs. Home-based CR tailored to women’s exercise needs and preferences should be considered.
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Ghanbari-Firoozabadi et al. (2023) conducted a cross-sectional in Cardiac rehabilitation non-enrollment (n=1,053). Female sex vs. Male sex was evaluated on Total mean Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale (CRBS-P) score (p=<0.001). Women referred to cardiac rehabilitation who did not enroll reported significantly greater total barriers to participation than men (mean CRBS-P score 2.37 vs 2.29, p<0.001).
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