Beliefs about medication and dietary compliance in people with heart failure: an instrument development study
Bennett, S.J.; Milgrom, L.B.; Champion, V.; Huster, G.A.
Heart and Lung the Journal of Critical Care 26(4): 273-279
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0147-9563 PMID: 9257137 Document Number: 470992
BACKGROUND: Sodium retention is often a precursor to hospitalization in people with heart failure (HF). Lack of compliance with medications and with dietary sodium restrictions affects sodium retention. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Beliefs about Medication Compliance Scale and the Beliefs about Dietary Compliance Scale. METHODS: The Beliefs about Medication Compliance Scale and the Beliefs about Dietary Compliance Scale are instruments we developed specifically to measure beliefs about compliance with behaviors that affect sodium retention in persons with HF. The scales, based on the Health Belief Model, were designed from a review of literature and from self-reports of people with HF. A convenience sample of 101 people with HF completed the scales. RESULTS: Internal consistency reliability was satisfactory. Factor analysis provided initial support for construct validity of the scales. CONCLUSIONS: Future testing of the scales is needed in more diverse populations. The scales can then be used to test interventions tailored to individual subjects' beliefs about compliance.