EJMS

Abstract

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) associated morbidity and mortality when treatment is delayed and almost within one hour of the onset of symptoms. Empowerment interventions is directed to increase knowledge, awareness, self care, skills and developing self-efficacy of patients with MI to control symptoms and prevent the complications. Aim: This study aimed to determine the effect of empowerment model on knowledge and self-efficacy of patients with myocardial infarction. Subjects and Method: The study was conducted in Intermediate Coronary Care unit (ICCU) at Cardiology department in Tanta Main University Hospital. Subjects: A convenience sampling of 60 MI patients, who admitted to the previous mentioned setting during the period of data collection. Tools: Two tools were utilized in this study. Tool (I): A Structure Interview Questionnaire, which consists of three parts: Part (1): patients' socio-demographic data as age, sex, level of education, body mass index. Part (2): Clinical patients' data, as past medical history, causes of disease and duration of disease. Part (3): Patients' knowledge questionnaire sheet about myocardial infarction. Tool (II): Cardiac Self-Efficacy Scale (CSE): It was developed by Sullivan et al., 1998 to measure self-efficacy associated with heart disease. Results: The study revealed that there was a statistically significant positive correlation between total level of patients' knowledge and total score of self-efficacy post empowerment intervention in relation to gender, marital status, educational level and work, P=0.001.Conclusion& Recommendations: Based on findings of the study, there was a significant improvement among studied patients regarding their score of total knowledge and self-efficacy post empowerment intervention. Therefore, patient empowered education by nurses can be an effective factor in improvement of patients’ knowledge, self-efficacy and self care. Thus, use of this model with all myocardial infarction patients is recommended.