Knowledge and Practices of Older Adults with Cardiac Disease regarding Medication Adherence.

Authors

1 Ph. D student of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Benha University

2 Professor of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Benha University

3 Assistant Professor of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Benha University.

10.21608/jnsbu.2025.444869

Abstract

        Background: Cardiovascular diseases  are a group of disorders that affect the heart and blood vessels, and are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in older adults. Aim: Was to assess knowledge and practices of older adults with cardiac disease regarding medication adherence. Design: A descriptive research design was utilized to conduct this study. Setting: This study was conducted at Cardiac Outpatient clinic at Benha University Hospital, in Benha City. Sample: A convenience sample included 150 older adults with cardiac diseases. Tools: Three tools were used (I): An interviewing questionnaire to assess socio demographic characteristics of older adults, medical history and knowledge about cardiac diseases and medication adherence. (II): Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) to assess medication adherence for older adults with cardiac disease. (III): (a): Reported practices of older adults toward cardiac diseases and medication adherence. (b): Observational checklist to assess older adults’ practices toward self measuring pulse and blood pressure. Results: Showed that 40.7% of the studied patients aged from 60 to less than 65years with mean age was 64.52±6.44 and 16% of them were performed cardiac stent for only once. In addition, only 10.7% of the studied patients had good total knowledge level regarding cardiac diseases and medication adherence and 26.7% of them had satisfactory total practices level toward cardiac diseases medication. Also, 46% of them had moderate level of medication adherence Conclusion: There were highly statistically significant positive correlations between the studied patients’ total knowledge score, total practices score and total medication adherence scores. Recommendations: Health educational programs are recommended to increase older adults' knowledge and practices about medication adherence related to cardiac disease.

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