Coping strategies of mothers of children with cardiac problems

Assessment of coping strategies is important in planning of health education programs to enhance coping. The aim of the present work was to assess the knowledge and attitude of mothers concerning cardiac problems, to assess the coping strategies of mothers of children with cardiac problems, and to identify some predictors of the coping strategies. A cross sectional study of 187 mothers of children with cardiac problems who attended the cardiology school health insurance clinic of Sporting Student's Hospital in Alexandria with their children within a period of one month was conducted. Every mother was subjected to the modified Jalowiec coping scale to assess the coping strategies. Knowledge and attitude of the mothers were assessed through a pre-designed interviewing questionnaire. The results showed marked variability in correct responses to various statements about cardiac problems. However, most of mothers showed poor knowledge [87.17%] and about half of them [46.0%] showed negative attitude. These figures were significantly higher among mothers of children with congenital heart defects [CHD] than among those whose children suffer from rheumatic heart disease [RHD]. The most commonly used coping method was [Pray; trust in god] [92.5%], followed by [Accept the situation as it is] [88.0%], and [Hope that things will be better] [73.5%]. More than half of the mothers [55.5%] reported that they always [Resign themselves to the situation because it is their fate] while 28.0% reported that they always [Worry]. The percent mean score of use of problem-oriented coping methods was nearly equal to that for affective-oriented coping methods. Duration of illness [p<0.01], previous hospitalization [p=0.01], and attitude of mothers to illness [p=0.05] were all significantly associated with coping strategies. However after adjustment for other variables, high percent mean total coping scores were more likely among mothers of children with longer disease duration and those whose mother showed negative attitude towards cardiac problems [p<0.05]. Health education programs are needed to enhance coping strategies, knowledge, and attitude of mothers of children with cardiac problems. However, high coping strategy scores are significantly associated with the longer duration of illness and the negative attitude of mothers, possibly due to prolonged exposure to stress and the feeling that their children are different. Support group for parents is a highly recommended strategy to help a family benefit from communication with others who share common concerns, interests, and goals

Drug compliance among hypertensive patients attending outpatient clinic of Abou-Qir Hospital in Alexandria

The present study aimed at estimating compliance with drugs among hypertensive patients [n=300] and at determining the association of compliance with blood pressure control among patients attending outpatient clinic of Abou-Qir Hospital in Alexandria. The patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to collect data of patients, disease, and treatment characteristics. The average compliance rate for the 2 visits was calculated using the pill count method. The compliance rate was 62.3%. Among compliant patients, over ninety percent [96.3%] were controlled as compared to only 41.6% among non-compliant patients [P<0.001]. Complications were significantly more prevalent among non-compliant than among compliant patients [44.2% versus 18.2%, P<0.001]. The combined effect of the six significant variables, i, e., sex, source of treatment, number of drugs, frequency of drug intake, control of hypertension, and complications of hypertension was examined by means of multiple regression analysis. The source of treatment and control of hypertension were the only significant predictors of drug compliance among hypertensive patients. Patient participation is essential to the whole process and antihypertensive drugs should be available in the clinic to make it free of charge to all patients especially poor ones