Similarities and differences of self-care behaviors between Korean Americans and Caucasian Americans with heart failure

Abstract

PURPOSE: To compare the differences of self-care behaviors between Korean Americans with heart failure (HF) and Caucasian Americans with HF.

METHOD: Ninety (N = 90) participants (45 Korean Americans and 45 Caucasian Americans) were recruited for this study. A two-group, comparative, descriptive design using the Revised Heart Failure Self-Care Behavior Scale was used to assess self-care behaviors.

RESULTS: Self-care behavior was not significantly different between the two groups (p > .05). However, culture-specific self-care behaviors were evident between two racial groups.

DISCUSSION: Implementation of culturally congruent education programs could be useful in preventing and managing HF. Further studies comparing self-care behaviors should be conducted in diverse racial populations