Assessing the Knowledge of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Using Oral Anticoagulants Medications

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate patients’ knowledge about atrial fibrillation (AF) and anticoagulants as well as to find out a relationship between the level of patients’ knowledge and sociodemographic variables.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on patients with atrial fibrillation aged more than 18 years. The study started on October 13^th, 2021, to April 25^th, 2022. The sample consists of 90 AF patients on oral anticoagulants who were admitted at Al-Nasiriya Heart Center in Thi-Qar City. Jessa Atrial Fibrillation Knowledge Questionnaire (JAKQ) was used for the collection of data after getting written approval from its author.

Results: Only 6 out of 90 patients had good knowledge of AF, with a significant relationship between the level of patients’ knowledge and their socio-demographic characteristics such as age, level of education, and occupation.

Conclusion: 62.2% of patients exhibited poor knowledge about AF. Patients who were aged less than 30, those with high education, and those who were employers demonstrated improved knowledge than other patients.