Effectiveness of Self - efficacy Promotion in Self - management Program on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Prevention Behavior among Elderly with Chronic Disease in Bang - Sai Sub - district, Mueng District, Chonburi Province

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in the elderly is a national public health concern. Therefore, it is important for all key concerned stakeholders to work together to find an effective way to prevent the risk of CVDs in order to maintain the quality of life of the elderly.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of self - efficacy promoting program on self - management behaviors to prevent CVDs risk among the elderly with chronic diseases in Bang - Sai sub - district, Muang district, Chonburi province.

METHODS: This quasi-experimental research was conducted from June to October 2019. Seventy elderly people, who were a risk group suffering from chronic diseases at middle level and over classified by Thai CVD risk scores, were recruited. Participants were divided into two groups (35 each). The experimental group received the promoting program, comprising 6 program activities for 6 weeks, and then a follow up for 4 weeks, whereas the control group received only routine health care services. Data were collected using survey questionnaires, including personal information, perceived self - efficacy, and self - management behavior. Food Records and Physical Activity Questionnaire (PAQ) were used for metabolic equivalent assessment. Clinical outcomes of each individual were also collected. Descriptive statistics, Independent sample t - test, and One - way repeated ANOVA were used for analyzing the data.

RESULTS: The findings found that, after intervention and during follow up period, the average score of perceived self - efficacy, self - management behavior, calorie outtake, waist, Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure and Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) in the experimental group were significantly better than the baseline, with statistical significance at p < 0.05. However, the average calorie intake was found to be statistically better than the baseline during the follow up period only. When comparing between groups, it was found that the experimental group had better results than those in the control group in all aspects, except only the average waist, BMI, and FBS. Besides, the experimental group appeared to control their blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels better than the control group at the end of the study period.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggested that this program can be applied for improving health service quality for elderly with chronic diseases in order to change their self-management behaviors and reduce their CVD risks effectively.