Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to explore the differences of health locus of control and treatment compliance according to general characteristics and severity in acute coronary syndrome(ACS) patients after percutaneous coronary intervention.
METHODS
This descriptive study was conducted with a convenient sample of 103 ACS patients. The dependent variables were measured by the scales for the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control and the Treatment Compliance. The collected data were analyzed by the Fisher's exact test, Chi-square and t-tests, and ANOVA using the SPSS/WIN program.
RESULTS
Pre-interventional severity was significantly different between men and women. In terms of internal health locus of control, there was a significant difference according to gender, educational status, economic status, and severity. The level of medication compliance was the lowest among the sub-scales of treatment compliance.
CONCLUSION
These findings suggest that clinical nurses should evaluate the general characteristics and severity of the patients with ACS for providing tailored nursing interventions.

• Keywords: Acute coronary syndrome; Internal-external control; Compliance