The Effect of Cardiac Education on Knowledge and Self-care Behaviors Among Patients With Heart Failure

Background: No studies have been conducted in Jordan to examine the effect of cardiac education on knowledge and self-care behaviors among patients with heart failure in Jordan.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a cardiac educational program on knowledge and self-care behaviors among patients with heart failure.

Method: A quasi-experimental pretest/posttest design was used. A convenient sample of 127 patients with heart failure was recruited. The participants were randomly assigned to either experimental (n = 55) or control (n = 65) group. Knowledge and self-care were measured at 1 and 3 months after the program application.

Results: Results indicated that the change of knowledge mean score was statistically significant, P ≤ .001, between the pretest and both the first and second posttests for the experimental group compared with the control group. The change of maintenance self-care mean was statistically significant, P ≤ .001, between the pretest and both the first and second posttests for the experimental group compared with the control group. Moreover, the change in the management self-care mean was statistically significant, P ≤ .001, between the pretest and both the first and second posttests for the experimental group compared with the control group. Finally, the change of confidence self-care mean was statistically significant, P ≤ .001, between the pretest and both the first and second posttests for the experimental group compared with the control group.

Conclusion: Applying cardiac education program helps improve knowledge and self-care among patients with heart failure. Such educational programs should be adopted in clinical settings to enhance knowledge and self-care behaviors.