Quality of Life (QoL) among Post Myocardial Infarction (MI) Women in Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Background

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) has been prevalent amongst women for several decades but it is only now that it is being vigilantly studied and described in them medical literature. Mortality due to cardiovascular disease in Pakistan, in 2002, as estimated by WHO, is 154,338 (World Health Statistics 2008). Aim of the study is to explore the Quality of Life (QoL) among women after myocardial Infarction (MI). with intention that QoL, understanding the QoL factors will guide the health team members to adopt better health plans resulting in effective recovery.

Methods

This quantitative, descriptive study was conducted on 256 post MI women at the Karachi Institute of Heart Disease (KIHD). Data was collected using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire (Urdu version), which was composed of 26 questions.

Results

The overall scores in the entire QoL domain revealed to be significantly lower. The mean overall quality of life is (mean 2.23 ±SD:0.527). Among all four, the social domain showed the highest score (mean±SD: 14.62±1.79), environmental (mean±SD: 10.09±1.14), Physical (mean±SD: 10.7768±1.18).

Conclusion

This study concludes that the findings from the present study can assist Nurses, Physician and family members to gain Knowledge about the attributes affecting QoL among post MI women. The results have important implications on health delivery team in the analysis and development of an appropriate treatment strategy. In addition, they will provide broad vision to the nursing profession that helps in raising the standard and quality of patient care.