Self-Care Practices and Related Factors in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Based on the Health Belief Model

Abstract

Introduction: Self-care programs can raise health in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This study aimed to identify the self-care behaviors and determinants in patients with MS according to the Health Belief Model (HBM). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included 280 MS patients through convenience sampling method. The collection tool was a self-administered questionnaire based on HBM. The participants were the members of MS society in Kerman, Iran. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, path analysis, and multivariable linear regression in SPSS software Version 22. Results: The mean (SD) score for self-care practices was 2.86 (0.64), and medication adherence was the most conducted practice. The perceived benefits and cues to action exerted positive influence on self-care practices. The most frequent symptoms experienced by the participants were fatigue (82.5%), visual impairment (76.4%), headaches (72.1%), and muscle weakness (71.4%). The most important cues to action for self-care behavior were the physician (77%), media (52%), and other MS patients (32%). Conclusion: The quality of life (QOL) of MS patients is heavily influenced by self-care behaviors. In this study, only about half of the patients accomplished self-care behaviors, which seems to be insufficient. Since the perceived benefits and cues to action are the main predictors of self-care practices, intervention based on these two constructs can be utilized to promote self-care programs and QOL in MS patients. Health-care providers should pay more attention to these factors for promoting self-care behaviors.

The Effect of Peer Group-Based Training Using Health Belief Model on Quality of Life and Foot Ulcer Self-Care Behaviour in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

“…In the study of Habibi et al, it was also shown that the lowest score related to the constructs of the health belief model was related to the construct of perceived barriers. This study showed that there is a relationship between understanding barriers and patients' educational status, and people with lower levels of education have fewer barriers to understanding [46]. Perceived barriers to self-care are significantly related to identity, outcome, time frame and emotional representation, personal control, treatment control, and dimensions of disease coherence in perceiving illness [47].…”

Predictors to health promoting behaviors among patients with myasthenia gravis: health belief model approach

“…The study further signify the association between self-efficacy factors and improvement of the results of conventional MG treatment and consequently health-related quality of life. Other supporting studies conducted by Habibi, Sedighi, Jahani, Hasani and Iranpour (2021) in Iran; Wong et al (2021) in Hong Kong and Shmueli (2021) in Palestine signaled that cues to action variable is a main predictor of self-care practices and a significant driving force of uptake of a healthy behavior and interventions.…”

Effect of Self-management Guidelines on Health Practices of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

“…A single point was assigned for each done answer, while not done answers received no points. The total score is 15, divided in to categories; (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15) were considered adequate and (0-8) were considered in adequate.…”