Practice of self-care behaviours and associated factors among patients with heart failure

Background/Aims Lack of adherence to self-care behaviour is a major problem among people with heart failure, increasing morbidity and mortality rates. This study aimed to understand practices of self-care and its associated factors among patients with heart failure in southern Ethiopia. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March–July 2020 among 229 patients attending follow-up appointments in two public hospitals in Hawassa, Ethiopia. Data were collected through structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. Epi-data (version 4.62) software and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 25) were used for analysis. Variables were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model to adjust possible confounders. Results Only 34.1% of participants reported good self-care practice. The mean total knowledge score was 7.6 out of a maximum score of 14. Good self-care behaviour was more likely to be practiced by those aged 30–50 years, with good knowledge of heart failure and an advanced New York Heart Association functional classification of III or IV. Conclusions Knowledge of heart failure and practice of self-care behaviours is lacking among patients with heart failure. Interventions are needed to increase knowledge of heart failure, as this may help to increase the practice of self-care among this patient group.