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Learning Objective 1: Heart Failure Self-Care Behaviors
Learning Objective 2: Analysis of the Validity and Reliability
Methods: The universe comprised cases who were at the cardiology clinic of a university hospital in 2009-2012 and who were diagnosed with HF at least six months earlier. As for the sample, it comprised 120 cases whose HF functional classes were II, III and V according to New York Heart Association. As data collection instrument, a demographic information questionnaire and EHFScBs were used. The scale's reliability was measured by internal consistency andtest-retest while its validity was analyzed by means of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). In the CFA analysis, the value obtained by dividing the chi-square value to the degree of freedom (x²/df), Goodness of Fit Index (GFI), Comparative Fit Index (CFI) and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation Residual (RMSEA) and the Square root of Standardized Errors' Mean Squares (S-RMR) values were expected to be within acceptable borders.
Results: The mean ages of the cases were 64.5±12.4 and the mean disorder duration was 9.06±8.19 years. In the reliability analysis, it was observed that the Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.88, item total correlation varied between 0.28 and 0.73 and test-retest correlation coefficient varied between 0.49 and 0.90. It was also observed that the scale's single-factor model had CFA x²/df= 62.49/51, GFI=0.92, CFI=0.98, RMSEA=0.04, SRMR= 0.05, which exceeded the acceptable values. In addition, each item's factor load varied between 0.30 and 0.79.
Conclusion: It was found out that the scale is valid and reliable for HF patients in Turkey . In conclusion, HF can be used by nurses in both their research and patient evaluation in the clinic.