Women's social support and social network after their first myocardial infarction; a 4-year follow-up with focus on cardiac rehabilitation
Received 5 July 2004; received in revised form 5 May 2005; accepted 13 June 2005.
Abstract
Background
Knowledge about women's recovery following a myocardial infarction (MI) with focus on how their social support and network change over time as a result of participation in a cardiac rehabilitation programme (CRP) is not well established.
Aim
The aim of this study was to describe and compare social support and network changes over a 4-year period in women with a first MI, based on socio-demographic and situational data.
Method
A longitudinal, comparative study with a non-randomised design including pre- and post-tests (1 and 4 years after MI) was carried out in 18 hospitals in Sweden. Consecutively chosen women (N=240) answered a questionnaire on the subject of social support and network.
Results
The women who participated in a CRP were mainly dependent upon professional support during the first year after MI (p<0.0001), while those who declined to participate in a CRP needed professional support throughout the whole 4-year period (p=0.001). Participation in CRP was dependent on the women's age, those under 60 years (p=0.050).
Conclusion
There is a need to develop CRPs that are specifically designed for women based on their age and family relationships. Nurses' training programmes should place greater emphasis on cardiac rehabilitation from the perspective of women with focus on professional support.
aSchool of Social and Health Sciences, Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden
bDepartment of Medicine and Care, Linköping University, Sweden
cPrimary Health Care Research and Development Unit, County Council Halland, Falkenberg, Sweden
dDept. of Primary Health Care, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden
eDepartment of Surgery, Central Hospital, Halmstad, Sweden
fSchool of Health Sciences and Social Work, Växjö University, Växjö, Sweden
Corresponding author. School of Social and Health Sciences, Halmstad University, P.O. Box 823, S-30118 Halmstad, Sweden. Tel.: +46 35 167428; fax: +46 35 167264.
ABSTRACT