BELIEFS ABOUT MEDICATION AND DIETARY COMPLIANCE IN PEOPLE WITH HEART-FAILURE - AN INSTRUMENT DEVELOPMENT STUDY

BACKGROUND: Sodium retention is often a precursor to hospitalization i n people with heart failure (HF). Lack of compliance with medications and with dietary sodium restrictions affects sodium retention. OBJECTI VES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and val idity of the Beliefs about Medication Compliance Scale and the Beliefs about Dietary Compliance Scale. METHODS: The Beliefs about Medication Compliance Scale and the Beliefs about Dietary Compliance Scale are i nstruments we developed specifically to measure beliefs about complian ce with behaviors that affect sodium retention in persons with HF. The scales, based on the Health Belief Model, were designed from a review of literature and from self-reports of people with HE A convenience s ample of 101 people with HF completed the scales. RESULTS: Internal co nsistency reliability was satisfactory. Factor analysis provided initi al support for construct validity of the scales. CONCLUSIONS: Future t esting of the scales is needed in more diverse populations. The scales can then be used to test interventions tailored to individual subject s' beliefs about compliance.