RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Self-care behaviors, which have a vital role in the management of heart failure disease, are influenced by several factors that are of paramount importance. This study aimed to determine the predictive role of spiritual health, social support, and quality of life in self-care behaviors among heart failure patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted from July to September 2021 on 203 patients with heart failure. Samples were selected by convenience sampling method from six centers in Ahvaz city. Data were collected using a clinical-demographic information questionnaire, the European Heart Failure Self-care Behavior Scale (EHFScBs), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), and Paloutzian and Ellison's Spiritual Well-being Scale. Data analysis was performed with SPSS 16 using descriptive and analytical statistical methods including Pearson's correlation coefficient, regression analysis, independent t-test, and analysis of variance. RESULT: The mean and standard deviation of the age of the female and male participants were 63.54 ± 14.03 and 62.34 ± 13.79, respectively. The majority of the participants (54.2%) were female, had primary education (23.2%), and were married (82.8%). Statistically significant relationships were observed between perceived social support and self-care (r = -0.22, P < 0.01), between spiritual health and self-care (r = -0.39, P < 0.01), and between the quality of life and self-care (r = 0.62, P < 0.01). However, no such relationship was found between demographic characteristics and self-care. CONCLUSION: Considering the predictive role of spiritual health, social support, and quality of life in self-care behaviors, it is necessary for planners to pay special attention to these factors when designing educational-supportive programs for these patients.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: One of the common side effects of cancer is fatigue that affects patients' life quality and leads to disability. Exercise has an important role in improving these patients' life quality and can be used as a complementary treatment. Moreover, there are few studies on the impact of exercise on fatigue among patients with colon cancer. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of exercise on the severity of fatigue in patients with colorectal cancer who underwent chemotherapy in Ahwaz. METHODS: In a quasi-experimental study, the adults with colorectal cancer were enrolled. The sample included 36 people. The study environment included adult hematology and chemotherapy wards of Shefa Hospital in Ahwaz. Data were collected using a demographic form and a questionnaire in order to measure the severity of fatigue. Then, the patients had 40 minutes of exercise, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The effect of exercise versus fatigue intensity was measured at the end of every week. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS: The mean of the fatigue severity in the weeks after exercise was significantly different from the week before it. Friedman test showed significant differences between all the weeks before and after the exercise. The mean of the fatigue severity was 3.69 on the week 0 (before the exercise), and decreased to 3.57 on the first week after exercise, 3.46 on the second week, 2.58 on the third week, and 1.69 on the forth week. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the results of this study, exercise and work-out can be an effective factor in reducing fatigue in patients.
