ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of a single 2-hour postdischarge education class on knowledge and health-promoting behaviors of patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. DESIGN: Descriptive, two-group, posttest survey. SETTING: Midwestern community hospital. SUBJECTS: One hundred fourteen patients who had experienced a cardiac catheterization, 53 patients who had attended a postdischarge coronary artery disease education class, and 61 patients who had not attended the class. OUTCOME MEASURES: Knowledge of coronary artery disease and coronary artery disease risk factor, and health-promoting behaviors. RESULTS: Those who attended the postdischarge class scored significantly higher on both knowledge and health-promoting behaviors. CONCLUSION: Patients who attended a single 2-hour postdischarge education class had significantly higher knowledge of coronary artery disease and coronary artery disease risk factors. Knowledge may better prepare people to increase health-promoting behaviors.
Subject(s)
Coronary Disease , Health Behavior , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Patient Education as Topic , Adult , Aged , Cardiac Catheterization , Humans , Middle Aged , Patient Discharge , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship among variables which are associated with life-style modification, knowledge of diabetes, social support, health practices, and body mass index, to examine their effect on health status, and to test the effectiveness of a community based life-style modification program for weight control. Adults (n = 66) with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus participated in either a treatment or control group. The treatment consisted of 5 weekly 90-min sessions on modifying eating and exercise patterns. All participants completed a personal resource questionnaire (PRQ), health practices survey (HPS), and diabetes health status questionnaire (DHS) at intake, 5 weeks, and 4 months. Knowledge of diabetes was assessed only at intake. Knowledge of diabetes, social support, and health practices explained 27% of the variance in health status, but health practices explained the largest (18%) proportion of the variance and was the only study variable significantly affected by the life-style modification program.
Subject(s)
Body Weight , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/rehabilitation , Health Status , Life Style , Patient Education as Topic , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Body Mass Index , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/physiopathology , Female , Health Behavior , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to enhance sensitivity to and understanding of the perceptions of persons with diabetes by analyzing these individuals' unsolicited comments on structured questionnaires. Twenty of 66 adults with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) who participated in a study to modify their eating habits wrote a total of 122 unsolicited comments on three different questionnaires. A systematic analysis of the content of these comments resulted in seven coding categories: personal philosophy; knowledge deficit; weight or blood sugar problems; diet, exercise, or medication problems; self-care activity; stress; and success. Further analysis resulted in a trilevel schema (survival, regulation, success) depicting how individuals learn to manage their diabetes. The problem-identification and seeking-help behaviors identified in the survival level gradually changed to learning to live with the regimen in the regulation level. Respondents whose activities were in the success level demonstrated more autonomy than persons in the other two levels. A health orientation rather than a problem orientation also was seen in the success level. Consequently, teaching strategies should be tailored to the client's level of self-care, with an emphasis on assisting them toward the success level.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/rehabilitation , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Self Care , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/psychology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Nursing Methodology Research , Self Care/methods , Self Care/psychologyABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the smoking cessation process as perceived by smokers and ex-smokers. In-depth, open-ended interviews were conducted with 25 ex-smokers who had quit smoking for at least 1 year, but not more than 7 years, and 22 smokers who had quit smoking for at least 2 weeks and returned to smoking. A systematic analysis of content was used to generate categories of responses regarding the smoking cessation process. The results of this study support and enhance what is known about behavioral change. Although further testing for verification is needed, the smoking cessation process as described by the study participants is: thinking about quitting, making a case, quitting, making adjustments, meeting the challenge, resumption, or maintenance.
Subject(s)
Behavior , Smoking/psychology , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Smoking PreventionABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to identify and describe how adults with diabetes in a weight control study attempted to make life-style behavioral changes. All subjects had non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and were 20% to 50% overweight. Data were drawn from narrative responses given by 28 clients to open-ended questions regarding behavioral change. Questions were asked as part of a 16-week life-style behavioral change program for weight control. A systematic analysis of content was used to generate six categories of responses depicting the life-style behavioral change process. The process, as described by these clients, is: Starting point; Introspection; Why change; Mental preparation; Plans, progress, and continuation; and Helps and hindrances.
