Efficacy of a Health Belief Model Based Intervention for Anticoagulation Adherence

Inconsistent anticoagulation therapy in AF patients is associated with a higher risk of stroke and abnormal bleeding. The purpose of the study is to investigate the efficacy of a health belief model based self-management of oral anticoagulant therapy intervention on the outcome of medication adherence and the mediators of knowledge, professional support, health belief, and self-efficacy in patients treated with oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation. A randomized clinical trial with repeated measurements was conducted. A convenient sample of 110 adults who were treated with anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation was recruited from two teaching hospitals in northern Taiwan. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to either the control group (n = 36) or the intervention group (n = 36) after completion of baseline questionnaires. Patients in the experimental group received the health belief model based anticoagulation adherence intervention, including one 60-minute individual instructions and six 15-minute telephone follow-ups. Participants in the control group received regular medication education, 10-minute individual instruction for health knowledge and six follow-up telephone calls for concerning health. Patients in both groups answered the study questionnaires at three and six months. The generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the efficacy of the intervention for enhancing knowledge, knowledge, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, and adherence to anticoagulant therapies in patients treated with oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation. The results of the study will contribute to the knowledge for improving adherence to oral anticoagulation therapies in patients with atrial fibrillation.