Effect of Educational Program on Compliance of Myocardial Infarction (MI) Patients in Gaza Strip

Abstract

Myocardial infarction is a major cause of death and disability worldwide and in Palestine as well. Acute myocardial infarction is considered the main cause of death among males 15-59 year old.  Mortality rate from MI is 18.7% in males and 7.7% in females worldwide. However, recently it has become evidenced that there are certain modifiable factors that may contribute to the occurrence of MI. Such factors if recognized and acted upon may prevent MI or its recurrence. The aim of this study; was to determine the effect of an educational program on compliance of myocardial infarction patients in Gaza Strip. Research design; Quasi-experimental design (pre-test/post-test) was used in this study. The study sample; consisted of 65 clients suffering from myocardial infarction who were selected randomly from cardiac outpatient clinics in Shifa and Nasser hospital in Gaza Strip. Tools for data collection included structured interviewing questionnaire that was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, pretest and post-test questionnaire about patient's knowledge and reported practices, then biochemical lipid profile levels results were taken from patients' health records. Study results revealed a statistically significant difference between pre and post educational program in most variables related to patient's knowledge about the nature of myocardial infarction, causes, signs and symptoms, complications and medication. Also, a highly statistically significant difference was found between pre and post educational program in relation to subject's reported practices. The study concluded that, educational program implicated changes in myocardial infarction subjects' knowledge, and reported practices. The study recommended generalizing such educational program in other cardiac clinics in Gaza Strip in order to improve myocardial infarction patients' compliance to medication, diet, exercise, smoking cessation and stress management. This would ultimately increase the quality of life for myocardial infarction patients and decrease the incidence of complications.

Keyword: compliance, myocardial infarction, educational program, knowledge, reported practice