Application of self-care based on full-course individualized health education in patients with chronic heart failure and its influencing factors

BACKGROUND The treatment of heart failure not only needs to relieve the clinical symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients but also needs to select scientific and reasonable ways to prevent or delay the progression of the disease, thus reducing the mortality and hospitalization rate. Although the previous regimen can effectively relieve symptoms in the early stage of treatment, long-term use may cause adverse events, such as arrhythmia, and even increase mortality. Therefore, conventional treatment cannot meet the actual health needs of patients, and scientific nursing intervention is very necessary. AIM To investigate the application of self-care based on full-course individualized health education (FCIHE) and its influencing factors in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS We enrolled CHF patients who were admitted to our center between September 2015 and June 2016 and divided them into an intervention group (n = 50) and control group (n = 50) using a random number table. Routine nursing care was applied to the control group, and FCIHE was offered to the intervention group. The self-care behavior, 6-min walking distance (6MWD), and 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) scores were compared between the two groups. The influencing factors of the self-care were also analyzed. RESULTS The 6MWD was not significantly different between the two groups at admission (P > 0.05); however, at 3 and 6 mo after discharge, 6MWD was significantly increased, and it was significantly longer in the intervention group (P < 0.05). The scores for self-care behavior showed no significant difference at admission between the two groups (P > 0.05); however, at 3 and 6 mo after discharge, the total scores for self-care maintenance, management, confidence, and behavior of the intervention group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the SF-36 scores at admission (P > 0.05); however, at 3 mo and 6 mo after discharge, the scores for all eight subscales, including physical functioning, role limitations due to physical problems, bodily pain, general health perceptions, vitality, social functioning, role-limitations due to emotional problems, and mental health, were significantly higher in the intervention group (P < 0.05). As shown by logistic regression analysis, the influencing factors of self-care mainly included age, cardiac function class, and education background (odds ratio > 1; all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION FCIHE improved self-care behavior and cardiac function in CHF patients. Age, cardiac function, and education level affected the implementation of self-care among CHF patients.