Sociological Analysis of the Behavioral Style and Economic Status of Cardiovascular Desease Patientsin in Javad Al-Aemeh Heart Hospital of Mashhad

Abstract

Introduction: This is a sociological study of the economic burden on patients writh cardiovascular disease (CVD) based on the behavior change approach in their behavior in Javad Al-Aeme hospital of Mashhad in 2020. Method: This is a cross-sectional survey conducted on a population of 385 CVD patients of over 50 years of age admitted to the Training, Research and Treatment Center of Javad Al-Aeme hospital of Mashhad. Data were collected through a demographic profile form and a researcher-made questionnaire, the validity and reliability of which were measured using the content validity method and the Cronbach’s alpha method, respectively. SPSS and AMOS softwares and appropriate statistical tests were used for the data analysis purpose. Findings: The results of regression analysis demonstrated a significant positive relationship of the independent variables of the study, i.e. “socio-economic status”, “living conditions”, and “health-related capital” with patients’ behavioral style and economic status. The results of structural equation modeling (SEM) showed that the collected data confirm at an acceptable level the structural model with its extraneous variables, i.e. “socio-economic status”, “living conditions” and “health-related capital”. The total effects of these three variables on behavioral style were calculated to be 0.41. In other words, 41% of the behavioral style changes among cardiovascular patients can be explained by these three variables and 59% of the unexplained variance related to exogenous variables. It was also found that the effect of the behavior change approach on economic burden was -0.49%. Discussion: Since the behavioral style change, socio-economic status, health-related capital, and living conditions significantly affect the CVD, effective steps can be taken to prevent and control this disease and reduce its costs and economic burden by modifying and changing the patients’ behavioral style.