Use Of Self-care Behaviors Research Articles

The Effects of a Self-Care Program on Promoting Self-Care Behaviors in Patients with Psoriasis

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease with frequent recurrence. The associated complications cause disturbance in patients’ quality of life. In addition to treatment procedures, use of self-care behaviors can be considered a cost-effective and applicable method in improving the patients’ symptoms. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a self-care program in promoting self-care behaviors of patients with psoriasis. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a self-care program in promoting self-care behaviors among patients with psoriasis. Methods: This quasi experimental, before-after study was carried out on 32 patients. The educational program was implemented face-to-face and in groups (in areas such as medicine, bathing, and clothing). The samples were examined once every 2 weeks for 3 months. Two questionnaires and 1 self-report checklist with a correlation coefficient of 92.5% were used in this study. The validity of the questionnaires was determined using content validity. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA in SPSS. Results: The patients’ demographics were as follows: mean age, 42.37%; males, 16 (55.2%) and females, 13 (44.8%); married, 21 (72.4%), single, 6 (20.7%), and widowed, 2 (6.9%); secondary school education, 13 (44.8%); average disease period, 9.03%; most self-employed and housewives (9, 31%); history of disease, 7 (24.1%); and physician-diagnosed disease, 29 (100%). The results showed that the mean medication adherence rate increased from 7% to 9.72% after the intervention, and comparison of self-care behaviors before and after the intervention showed that the frequency of most behaviors significantly increased. Conclusions: The results showed that training could improve self-care behaviors. Use of simple, low-cost, and available programs for self-care behaviors is effective in reducing the patients’ symptoms and improving their conditions.

Self-Care Behaviors of African American Women Living With HIV: A Qualitative Perspective

Significant numbers of African American (AA) women have been diagnosed with HIV over the past decade. HIV may be viewed as a chronic condition that can be actively managed through the use of self-care behaviors, yet little is known about how these women define self-care (SC) for themselves, and still less is known about what facilitates and hinders SC behaviors among these women. This article highlights the results of a qualitative research study undertaken with AA women living with HIV in a metropolitan city in the southeastern United States. The objective of this study was to systematically collect data about the SC experiences of these women. Focus group methodology was used. Content analysis of the data was conducted. Two primary domains emerged: do what the doctor says and living healthy. SC activities included seeking social support, managing disclosure, engaging in pampering, taking part in religious customs, and maintaining recovery.

Oral health self-care behaviors of rural older adults.

This analysis describes the dental self-care behaviors used by a multiethnic sample of older adults and delineates the associations of self-care behaviors with personal characteristics and oral health problems. A cross-sectional comprehensive oral health survey conducted with a random, multiethnic (African-American, American Indian, white) sample of 635 community-dwelling rural adults aged 60 years and older was completed in two rural southern counties. Rural older adults engage in a variety of self-care behaviors, including the use of over-the-counter (OTC) medicine (12.1 percent), OTC dental products (84.0 percent), salt (50.9 percent), prayer (6.1 percent), and complementary therapies (18.2 percent). Some gender and ethnic class differences are apparent, with greater use by women of OTC medicine and salt and greater use by African-Americans and American Indians of OTC medicine and OTC dental products. The use of dental self-care behaviors appears to be driven by need. Those reporting oral pain, bleeding gums, and dry mouth have greater odds of engaging in most of the dental self-care behaviors, including the use of complementary therapies. The major factor leading to the use of self-care behaviors is need. Although oral pain does increase the use of self-care behaviors, so do bleeding gums and dry mouth. Research and practice should address self-care behaviors used for oral health problems in addition to pain. Investigators should expand analysis of dental self-care behavior and the relationship of self-care behavior to the use of professional services. Further research also should explore the use of complementary therapies in dental self-care.

Mucositis Pain Induced by Radiation Therapy: Prevalence, Severity, and Use of Self-Care Behaviors

Pain from radiation therapy (RT)-induced mucositis is a significant clinical problem for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). The purpose of this study was to determine the pattern, severity, and time course of RT-induced mucositis pain; self-care behaviors (SCBs) used to manage mucositis pain; and the effectiveness of these behaviors in relieving such pain. Forty-nine patients with HNC were assessed using the MacDibbs Mouth Assessment Tool to determine the severity of RT-induced mucositis pain over their course of RT and at a one-month follow-up visit. All patients developed pain due to RT-induced mucositis. A Self-Care Diary was used weekly by patients to record SCBs and their effectiveness. The most effective SCBs for RT-induced mucositis pain were mouth rinsing and using oral analgesics. However, more severe pain with swallowing was not managed well throughout the study. Future studies need to test more effective strategies to manage RT-induced mucositis pain.

The Effect of Education in Managing Side Effects in Women Receiving Chemotherapy for Treatment of Breast Cancer

To determine the effectiveness of informational audiotapes on self-care behaviors, state anxiety, and use of self-care behaviors; to describe the occurrence and intensity of common side effects in patients with breast cancer. Randomized clinical trial. Outpatient chemotherapy clinics operated by a university center in a rural area. 70 women receiving their first treatment of chemotherapy. Subjects completed demographic data and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety instrument (stai). The experimental group received two audiotapes. At one and three months, subjects completed the modified nail self-care diary and stai via telephone. State anxiety, side-effect severity, and use and efficacy of self-care behaviors. The most frequent side effects were fatigue, nausea and vomiting, and taste change. The experimental group reported symptom improvements that were not found in the control group. The experimental group increased the use of recommended self-care behaviors, whereas the control group continued to use the same self-care behaviors without effectiveness. State anxiety for both groups diminished over time; however, anxiety in the control group was consistently higher. Audiotapes are effective teaching tools. Self-care behaviors can be taught and can be effective in managing side effects. Anxiety was high in both groups, but the symptom decreased in the women who received audiotapes and telephone calls. Constraints on nurses decrease the length of teaching time available, but audiotapes provide effective teaching and reinforcement of education. Anxiety in clinical environments interferes with patient learning. Teaching effective self-care behaviors enhances patients' independence, comfort, control, and quality of life.