Effect of Educational Program on Lifestyle of Myocardial Infarction Patients in Iranian Population

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are among the top three causes of mortality and disability in the world. Applying Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) can be effective on changing lifestyle of patients with Myocardial Infarction (MI). Aim: To determine the application of theory of planned behaviour to change the lifestyle of myocardial infarction patients in Iranian population. Materials and Methods: The research was carried out at two stages; at first, a cross-sectional study was carried out to determine predictors of TPB (attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behaviour control) on 175 patients with MI. Then, a quasi-experimental study was conducted on 100 MI patients (50 experimental groups and 50 control groups) hospitalized in Valiasr Hospital of Fasa, Fars, Iran in 2016-2017. Data gathering tool was a questionnaire with three sections: 1) demographics (age, gender, education, job, marital status and smoking habits); 2) lifestyle inventory questionnaire; and 3) author-designed questionnaire based on TPB. The educational intervention was carried out in eight sessions (One session is of 55-60 minutes) including symptoms and risk factors of MI; healthy cooking methods; improving diet at work; weight loss methods; good effects of physical activity and exercising on the body; effects of exercising on MI; stress and managing it; heart rehabilitation; role of attitudes and beliefs in improving lifestyle and obstacles and facilitators found in the society to improve healthy lifestyle. The collected data was analysed in SPSS 22 using logistic regression, paired sample t-test, independent t-test and chi-squared test. Results: The results showed no significant difference between the experiment and control groups before the intervention in terms of attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behaviour control, intention and score of lifestyle. Three months after the intervention, however, the experiment group showed a notable increase and significant difference in terms of the mentioned variables comparing with the control group. Conclusion: Applying the TPB is very effective for developing an educational program for a healthy lifestyle among patients with MI. Besides such programs, follow-up education on monitoring is highly recommended.