Cardiac knowledge levels and adherence behaviors postmyocardial infarction.

The relationship between knowledge and adherence post-myocardial infarction was studies. Knowledge of cardiac disease and guidelines for rehabilitation was measured pre-discharge and at two and four week post-discharge. Each subject rated adherence to diet, smoking, and exercise guidelines at two and four week post-discharge. Knowledge and adherence scores were than correlated to assess the degree of relationship between the two variables. No significant relationship was found between the two variables. This may have been due to the small sample size or to changing guidelines for discharge. Knowledge and adherence scores were also analyzed with respect to demographic variables. Age was significantly correlated with knowledge (p < .05). That is, as age increased, knowledge scored decreased. Decreasing scores in the aged may reflect sensory limitation diminishing test taking ability or lack of familiarity with multiple choice test; also, the aged may have slower learning processes which would result in lower scores. ANOVA revealed a significant relationship between family size and test scores (p < .05). After discharge, the individuals with high numbers of children had significantly higher scores than the individuals with three or fewer children. Members of large families may have participated in answering the questions, or the men may have been under more pressure to learn and rehabilitate so as to return to work. Only the variable hobbies were found to have a significant effect on adherence (P < .05). Analysis showed individuals with physically active hobbies were less adherent to exercised restrictions. Finally, test scores were analyzed for change over time. There appeared to be an increase in scores from pre-discharge to post-discharge, but test scores were consistent after discharge.