SELF-CARE KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE AMONG PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LEG VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY HOSPITALIZED IN THAI BINH PROVINCIAL GENERAL HOSPITAL

Abstract

Objective: To describe the self-care knowledge and practice among patients with chronic leg venous insufficiency at Thai Binh Provincial General Hospital in 2020. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study using self-reported questionnaires to collect data from 81 patients with chronic lower extremity venous insufficiency treated at the Cardiovascular Center - Thai Binh Provincial General Hospital during the period from May 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020. Results: The majority of patients (ranged from 75.3% to 97.5%) recognized the typical clinical manifestations of venous insufficiency of the lower extremities. The percentages of patients with correct responses regarding habits of working and daily living as risk factors, using consolidating drugs, self-monitoring and re-examination were respectively 80.2%, 81.5% and 82.7%. Regarding self-care practice, 67.9% and 29.6% of patients had re-examination when detecting abnormalities and follow-up appointments; 64.2% and 33.3% of patients performed posture maintenance fully and partially. The results also revealed items of knowledge or practice which were not known or fully implemented by patients such as only 14.8% of patients knew leg edema as a manifestation of lower extremity venous insufficiency; 10% completely answered the knowledge of necessary changes in lifestyle and living activities; 18.5% weared compression stockings for more than 16 hours a day, two patients missed re-exam appointments and did not made appropriate postural adjustment for venous insufficiency of the lower extremities. Conclusion: This study indecated that besides the self-care knowledge and practice regarding leg venous insufficiency known and performed by patients, there were still significant self-care contents that were not known or fully implemented by patients.