Abstract

Objective: To assess the current practice and changes in adherence to Anti-vitamin K anticoagulants therapy among cardiovascular patients with atrial fibrillation after the educational intervention at Nam Dinh Provincial General Hospital.

Method: The one grouppre-test and post-test educational intervention was conducted among 102 cardiovascular outpatients with atrial fibrillation who were under Anti-vitamin K anticoagulant therapy at least one month. The Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) was applied to evaluate the outcomes before and after the education.

Results: Before the intervention, the percentage of patients achieved the overall adherence to Antivitamin K anticoagulant therapy was only 32.4% of patients. One month after completing the intervention, this rate increased significantly at 63.7%, nearly double in comparision with this before the intervention. There were 40.2% of patients who achieved the target IRN before the intervention then this number also increased markedly to 70.6% at the point of one month later the intervention (p values of 0.01). The percentage of patients who had experienced the behaviors those related to inadequate use of anticoagulants also decreased clearly after the intervention.

Conclusion: The study results showed the poor practice in adherence to Anti-vitamin K anticoagulant, and the significantly improvements after the educational intervention. The study revealed the real need to educate patients on adherence to Anti-vitamin K anticoagulant therapy as a supplement added to routine guidelines when patients receive a prescription.