‘Cardiac Self-Efficacy Scale’ and quality of life in the cardiovascular patients in Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Background & objective: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) put a significant burden on healthcare resources. Understanding the cardiac self-efficacy of those patients can help develop effective strategies for improving their cardiac self-efficacy and quality of life (QoL). Nevertheless, there is a gap in such research in the region. Consequently, this study aims to evaluate the cardiac self-efficacy scale and QoL in CVD patients in Saudi Arabia.
Methodology: This was an online observational cross-sectional survey conducted in Saudi Arabia in March 2025. Patients diagnosed with CVD and aged 18 years and above living in Saudi Arabia comprised of the study population. A previously validated questionnaire was utilized in this research to examine cardiac self-efficacy among patients with CVD in Saudi Arabia. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors affecting cardiac self-efficacy.
Results: A total of 161 patients were involved in this research. The most common CVD reported included diseases due to high blood pressure (29.2%) and other vascular diseases (32.9%). A total of 75 participants (46.58%) felt completely confident in taking their heart medication correctly, while only 13.66% felt same about regularly performing aerobic exercise. Regarding symptom management, 30.43% were very confident they could control shortness of breath with medication, but fewer (17.39%) felt completely confident in controlling chest pain though activity adjustment. Socially, (37, 89%) were very confident in maintain their usual social activities. The mean score of the scale was 44.4 ± 10.69, out of 65. The good level was achieved by 47.2% of the participants. People from Macca (OR = 5.72, 95%CI:1.78-18.45, p =0.003) had higher odds of better cardiac self-efficacy compared to those in Riyadh. Additionally, the people lived in other cities such as Jazan, Najran, and Jouf had higher odds of achieving Cardiac Self-Efficacy Management (OR =8.03, 95% CI: 1.33-48.67, P = 0.02).
Conclusion: This study emphasizes the discrepancy in cardiac self-efficacy among CVD patients in Saudi Arabia, specifically in symptom management, engagement in social and physical activities, and medication adherence. Factors such as demographic characteristics, accessibility to healthcare services, social support, and knowledge among healthcare providers and patients were suggested to result in these disparities. Implanting targeted strategies to enhance cardiac self-efficacy and QoL among CVD patients in Saudi Arabia is required.
Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases; Quality of life; Saudi Arabia; Self-efficacy
Citation: Alnemer KA, Alotaibi AA, Aseeri IM, Aati AO. ‘Cardiac Self-Efficacy Scale’ and quality of life in the cardiovascular patients in Saudi Arabia. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2025;29(3):485-495.
Received: April 03, 2025; Revised: April 06, 2025; Accepted: April 17, 2025
