E‑Health: The Impact of Social Network on Self Care Behavior in Heart Failure Patients toward COVID‑19 Epidemic

Patients with heart failure are one of the high‑risk groups for coronary artery. Distance education of self‑care behaviors can be effective in preventing the disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of social networks in explaining the awareness of cardiovascular patients’ self‑care behaviors toward COVID‑19.

In the present survey study, 227 patients with a history of heart failure were selected from Shahid Rajaei Hospital in Tehran by the available sampling method (May to July 2020). Data collection tools were the standard European Self‑Care Behavior Questionnaire for heart failure and the Dorty Elizabeth Orem self‑care model. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 22.

The results of the Pearson correlation coefficient showed a positive and relatively strong linear relationship between the variable of the degree of persistence in the use of networks with the eight dimensions of self‑care behavior except psychological emotion control (r = −0.39, P = 0.315). Furthermore, a significant weak inverse relationship between the dimension of “cooperation with physicians and treatment staff” (r = −0.22, P = 0.129). Moreover, psychological support (r = −0/034, P = 0.446) was observed with the use of networks. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the type of activity and participation in networks has a greater share and effect in increasing the score of self‑care behavior of 0.55.

Since the use of networks has a positive effect on patients’ self‑care behavior, the use of these networks is recommended as a community‑based approach in the health system and to improve health and health outcomes.