Symptoms and Response to Symptoms among I-Saan Women with Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

          The aim of this qualitative study was to describe the perception of myocardial infarction symptoms and the response to symptoms among I-Saan women. The key informants were 27 women who had been diagnosed with myocardial infarction. The data were collected by in-depth interview, group discussion, observation and field note during February 2010 to February 2011. The data were analyzed by content analysis. The triangulation was used for the rigor of the research. Three results were revealed as the followings; 1) most of the key informants did not recognize the symptoms that occurred as the symptoms of heart disease, 2) family came first - I-Saan women paid the most attention to family so they did not aware of their health care, 3) the women had to rely on others for seeking treatment. For the perception of myocardial infarction symptoms of I-Saan women, most of them did not recognize that the symptoms were of heart disease. Moreover the symptoms that occurred were different from the basis of medical diagnosis. Because the role of the women was care taker and they were dependent care, the women paid most of their attention to their families so they missed a chance to be diagnosed and treated properly. Therefore, the development of health care services which are sensitive and appropriate for women’s lifestyles should be conducted in order to allow women to obtain accurate and early seeking treatment.