Evaluation of Social Dignity and its Related Factors in Heart Failure Patients

Heart failure is a major growing problem that affects not only patients but also their families and social networks. It reduces the functional capacity of patients and impaired their social life. This study was conducted to investigate social dignity and its related factors in heart failure patients. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 130 patients with class II to IV heart failure were selected by purposive sampling from Hazrate Rasoolakram, Imam Hossein and Shariati Hospital of Tehran, in 2013. Demographic questionnaire and Social Dignity Questionnaire (SDQ) completed by them. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistic methods and analytical statistic tests such as: Pearson correlation, One-Way ANOVA and Independent-Sample T Test and by using SPSSversion 19. The mean score of social dignity was 4.3±0.7. The highest mean score calculated for social communication and support dimension and the lowest mean score, calculated for burden to others (economic) dimension. ANOVA test with P<0.05 revealed a significant difference in the mean of illness related worries score between social communication and support dimension and burden to others (economic) dimension. Pearson statistic test with P<0.05 showed significant correlation between hospitalization number and social dignity and between disease severity and social dignity.Although the results of this study showed that patients with heart failure, have a good social dignity and are satisfied with social communication and support, but economically they feel burden to others. So, using appropriate strategies to support physical, mental and economic status of these patients in order to maintain and improve their social dignity is recommended.