Disease-related Knowledge Level and Compliance of Health Behavior in Patients with Myocardial Infarction According to the Atherosclerotic Risk Factors

Jeong, Hey Sun

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study purposed to examine the disease-related knowledge level and compliance with good health behavior in patients with myocardial infarction according to the atherosclerotic risk factors. METHOD: The subjects consisted of 72 patients with myocardial infarction and the data were collected by interviewing the subjects with questionnaires and reviewing their medical records from September, 15, 1999 to July 31, 2000. Data were analyzed using the SAS program.
RESULTS
1) With regard to atherosclerotic risk factors: of the subjects, 91.7% lacked regular exercise, followed by smoking (61.1%). 2) The average knowledge score of the patients was 19.7 and the average compliance score was 53.9. 3) There were no significant differences in the total knowledge scores according to the patients' atherosclerotic risk factors. 4) Non-diabetics were significantly higher in knowledge scores on domain of risk factors than the diabetics. 5) The overweight patients were significantly higher in knowledge score on domain of nature of disease than the normal-weight patients. 6) The total compliance scores of the non-smokers were significantly higher than those of the smokers. 7) The total compliance scores of the patients who do regular exercise were significantly higher than those of the patients who forgo regular exercise. 8) The non-smokers were significantly higher in compliance scores on domain of diet than the smokers. 9) The diabetic patients were significantly higher in compliance scores on domain of smoking cessation than the non-diabetics. 10) Patients who do regular exercise were significantly higher in compliance scores on other domains than the patients who forgo regular exercise.
CONCLUSION
According to the above findings, it can be concluded that intensive nursing care and education should be provided to patients who have atherosclerotic risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, lack of exercise, over weight, or hypercholesterolemia to increase disease related knowledge level and to improve compliance with good health behavior.