QUALITY OF LIFE AND ITS RELATED FACTORS FOR PATIENTS WITH CONGESTIVE HEART FAI LURE AT BENHA UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Abstract

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a disease caused by weakening of the heart muscle making it unable to pump a sufficient volume of blood to supply the body’s need for oxygen. The CHF affecting patient's quality of life. Aim of the study: was to assess quality of life for patients with congestive heart failure& factors affecting quality of life for such group of patients at coronary care unit at Benha University Hospital. Methods: A descriptive exploratory research design was used. Study subjects: A sample of 100 patients with CHF admitted to Coronary Care Unit at Benha University Hospital. Two tools were used to collect data (1) Interview questionnaire sheet, (2) The quality of life scale. Results: the present study revealed the majority of studied subjects (81%) had unsatisfactory level of information regarding CHF and its management and (55%) have poor total QoL. There were many factors that affect the patient's QoL as physical (75%), psychological (68%), social (50%), spiritual (29%) & patient’ beliefs (38%) factors. There was statistically significant (P<0.05) relation between overall patients' QoL and demographic characteristics, economic, medical history and level of information. Conclusion: Finding of this study revealed that more than half of studied subjects have poor total QoL , the majority of them had unsatisfactory information about CHF, healthy diet and management, and there were many factors that affect the patient's QoL as physical, psychological, social, spiritual & patient’ beliefs factors .The study recommended that there is a need for continuous monitoring and evaluating QoL of CHF patients for early detecting and solving any problems and improving patiens` information toward the disease, healthy diet and management. Establishing a rehabilitation program for CHF patients to improve their QoL. The need for continuous educational programs for CHF patients and their families about the disease, management, complication and ways to alleviate them and supplying cardiac units with psychotherapists and social workers to assess patients needs and intervene with them