Knowledge, Practices and Self-Care Management Behaviors for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a significant impact on all facets of health-related quality of life, including social, emotional, physical, and spiritual. Elevated levels of self-care management behaviors, practices, and information about rheumatoid arthritis may improve the physical function, health, and quality of life for rheumatoid arthritis patients. Aim of the study: This study aimed to assess knowledge, practices, and self-care management behaviors for rheumatoid arthritis patients. Subjects and method: In this study, a descriptive research design was adopted. The rheumatology outpatient clinics at El Shifaa Medical Complex and Al Salam Hospital, which are connected to the Egypt Health Care Authority in the Port Said Governorate, Egypt, served as the study's locations. In this study, 73 rheumatoid arthritis patients who visited the aforementioned locations were included in a purposive sample. Tools: Three instruments were used to gather the data_a self-reported checklist of patients' practices, a structured interview questionnaire covering information about rheumatoid arthritis and its self-care management, and a self-care management behaviors scale. Results: According to the study, all rheumatoid arthritis patients had unsatisfactory knowledge regarding their disease and its self-care management, practices, and behaviors. Furthermore, a statistically significant positive association was observed between the aggregate knowledge, aggregate practices, and aggregate self-care management behaviors of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Conclusion: Inadequate knowledge, practices, and self-care management behaviors were present in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Recommendations: In order to improve and sustain rheumatoid arthritis patients' understanding, practices, and self-care management behaviors, the study suggested offering ongoing health education programs.