HEART FAILURE PATIENTS SELF-CARE TREATMENT ADHERENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AT UNIVERSITY OF GONDAR REFERAL HOSPITAL, NORTH WEST ETHIOPIA.

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Nowadays, heart failure related morbidity and mortality is increasing globally. It much affecting younger age African individuals than Europe and America. Though medication, low sodium diet, regular exercise, and weight monitoring are essential to control heart failure symptoms and its exacerbations, poor adherence to these treatment recommendations is contributing to an increase in hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality. There is no evidence for heart failure patients self-care treatment adherence and factors associated with patient’s adherence level in this setting. Objective: This study was aimed to assess heart failure patients self-care treatment adherence and associated factors at University of Gondar Referral Hospital, 2017. Methods: A Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 310 adult heart failure patients selected by systematic random sampling technique at University of Gondar Referral Hospital, from February 15 to May 15, 2017. Data were collected through face to face interview by using adherence measurement scale questionnaires. Factors associated to self-care adherence were analyzed by binary logistic regression. In multivariable analysis variables with p-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Of 310 study participants only 69 (22.3%, 95% CI, 17.4%-26.8%) heart failure patients had good adherence to their self-care recommendations. Adherence was positively associated with being male in gender (AOR=2.34, 95% CI: 1.18-4.62), good level of heart failure knowledge (AOR =2.49, 95% CI: 1.276-4.856) and absence of chronic comorbid diseases (AOR =2.57, 95% CI: 1.28-5.14). Conclusion and recommendations: Overall, heart failure patients adherence to selfcare recommendations is poor and selective. Being male in gender, absence of chronic comorbid diseases, and good level of heart failure knowledge were positively associated with adherence to self-care recommendations. It is therefore strategic to plan improving heart failure patients knowledge about heart failure signs, symptoms and its treatment to improve patients adherence level. Keywords: Self-care, Heart failure, Adherence, Gondar, Ethiopia.