Factors Associated with Self-Care Capacity of People with Chronic Conditions Hospitalized in a Clinical Ward

Objective: To identify the factors associated with self-care capacity in people with chronic conditions hospitalized in a clinical ward. Materials and Methods: This was an observational study conducted in an adult clinical inpatient unit. Data was collected using a form to characterize the participants and the Revised Self-Care Agency Assessment Scale (ASAS-R). Data was then analyzed using descriptive statistics and association tests (Pearson’s correlation coefficient, Student’s t-test for independent samples, and ANOVA). A significance level of 5 % was applied to all analyses. Results: A total of 100 patients participated, with a prevalence of men; with a mean age of 59.78 years; most had incomplete primary education, were married, and retired. Based on the application of the ASAS-R, the patients demonstrated the power to self-care; however, they showed reduced self-care capacity, as indicated by the mean ASAS-R score (53.56). The individual characteristics associated with lower self-care capacity were being male (p = 0.006), having a low level of education (p = 0.022), having no religious bond (p = 0.050), having been hospitalized for a long time (p = 0.016), and not taking medication daily (p = 0.004). Conclusion: The results indicate that people with chronic conditions hospitalized in a clinical ward have a reduced capacity for self-care, associated with individual and clinical factors.