Relationship between Risk Factors and Self-Efficacy among Elderly Patients with Deep Vein Thrombosis

Background: Elderly patients are a higher risk of developing deep vein thrombosis compared to younger patients. Patients with multiple risk factors often demonstrate a lower level of self-efficacy, which influences the ability to manage the condition and medication adherence. Aim: To identify the relationship between risk factors and self-efficacy among elderly patients with deep vein thrombosis. Research design: An exploratory research design was used. Setting: This study was conducted in the Vascular Surgical Department and outpatient clinics at Sohag University Hospital. Sample: A purposive sample involved 193 elderly patients. Tools: Two tools were used. 1st tool: Structured interview questionnaire; consisted of 2 parts. Part (1): Demographic data of elderly patients. Part (2): Self-efficacy for managing chronic disease 6-item scale. 2nd tool: Deep vein thrombosis risk factor assessment scale. Result: 53.9% of the studied elderly patients were males, 26.4% of them in minor risk factors were obesity, 92.2% of them in mild risk factors were age between 60-74 years, and the majority of the studied elderly patients had low risk factor levels, less than two-thirds of them had low levels of self-efficacy. Conclusion: There was a highly statistical significant negative correlation between total self-efficacy level and total risk factor level with (r=-0.402) at p value =(0.001**).Recommendation: Develop and implement an exercise program to improve physical activity and maintain normal body weight.