Beliefs, values and attitudes of cohabiting relatives of coronary artery diseasepatients

Abstract

The high incidence and prevalence of coronary heart disease is evident in Brazil and worldwide. The concept that individuals have on health and illness influences their attitudes and behaviors before the health-disease process and affects the performance and development of the family nucleus. The objective was to analyze beliefs, values and attitudes of family members that live with patients with acute coronary syndrome of coronary heart disease. This is a cross-sectional study with qualitative approach conducted at a university hospital. The sample consisted of nine relatives of patient. Semi-structured interviews were applied. Data were collected through instruments with questions prepared upon the assumptions of the theoretical framework. Data were evaluated according to the Health Belief Model. Family members were aged between 26 and 66 years. The categories susceptibility, severity, benefits and perceived barriers derived from Health Belief Model, as well as the categories awareness and change, showed that family members have knowledge about the prevention and control aspects of the consequences of coronary heart disease. However, the beliefs and values acquired throughout their lives, influenced by cultural, social, economic, emotional and especially family context, hinder behaviors with preventive and health promoter character. Despite the knowledge that family member of coronary patients have about the disease, nurses need to tailor the educational process aiming to minimize conflicts arising from beliefs, values and family environment context, as well as facilitate and promote the incorporation of new habits.