Impact of behavioral health education interventions on knowledge, adherence to treatment, and quality of life of patients with heart failure: A randomized controlled trial

Original Research

Abstract

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is a common chronic disease with high morbidity and mortality rates. Besides HF treatments aimed to improve patients’ quality of life and health status, health education interventions for behavioral changes ensuring their adherence to treatment are very important. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of behavioral health education interventions on knowledge, treatment adherence, and quality of life of patients with HF.

Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial. A total of 330 patients were selected and randomly distributed into intervention and control groups (n = 165 per group). Data were collected at the time points before the intervention and three months after the intervention using the Dutch Heart Failure Knowledge Scale (DHFKS), Revised Heart Failure Compliance Scale (RHFCS), and quality of life (EQ-5D-5L v2.1, Vietnamese version).

Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in HF knowledge or quality of life at baseline. After three months of health education intervention, intervention group significant increase to 1.68 times (95%CI: 1.05 – 2.69; p=0.03) in overall HF knowledge; 1.91 times (95%CI: 1.25 – 2.92; p=0.003) in general HF knowledge and 1.59 times (95%CI: 1.03 – 2.45; p=0.038) in behavior of exercise when compare to control group.  However, the quality of life did not change significantly after the intervention.

Conclusions: Although the health education intervention had no impact on the quality of life of patients with HF, it was effective in improving their HF knowledge and treatment adherence.

Graphical abstract

Knowledge, treatment adherence, and quality of life of heart failure patients at Nhan Dan Gia Dinh Hospital

Original Research

Abstract

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is one of the most common diseases worldwide, with a high prevalence and mortality, creating a significant cost burden on patients, society, and the healthcare system. As a result, extensive research has been conducted to investigate advanced treatment methods for heart failure, and patient adherence plays a crucial role in optimizing treatment effectiveness. This study aims to describe the current status of patients’ knowledge, treatment adherence, and quality of life among outpatients with heart failure visiting for routine treatment at Nhan Dan Gia Dinh Hospital.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted on 330 outpatients with heart failure who were visited for routine treatment at Nhan Dan Gia Dinh Hospital. All data were collected through face-to-face interviews using constructed questionnaires.

Results: The study showed the limit of heart failure knowledge among patients, with a mean score of 5.2 ± 2.3. Only 4.8% of patients were adequate overall heart failure knowledge. The treatment adherence was limited, with an overall adherence rate of 20.9%. The patient’s quality of life was generally stable at a high level, with a mean of 0.871 for the descriptive system score and 0.697 for the standardized VAS score.

Conclusion: The adherence rate of patients with HF was low, particularly among those with non-drug adherence. Very few patients with heart failure have adequate knowledge of heart failure. More support and health education programs on heart failure treatment adherence are needed for patients to increase their knowledge, adherence and improve their quality of life.

Graphical abstract

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