Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the level of exercise self-efficacy in a population with chronic diseases and identify the factors that could influence exercise self-efficacy.
Background: Performing physical exercise is an important part of self-care in chronic diseases. It is highly influenced by individual's self- efficacy. However, little attention has been given to the identification of the factors that could affect the exercise self-efficacy among people with chronic diseases.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the exercise self-efficacy among people with chronic diseases using the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESE). Demographic and exercise profiles were also collected.
Results: A total of eighty-five people with chronic diseases from outpatients' clinics participated in this study. The mean age of the participants was 52 ± 13.92 and more than half of them were females (58.8%). The mean score of exercise self-efficacy was 39 ± 21.55. Education level was the main factor that correlated with lower levels of exercise self-efficacy.
Conclusions: This study is first to provide preliminary evidence about levels of exercise self-efficacy and its associated factors among people with chronic diseases in Saudi Arabia. The level of exercise self-efficacy is low in people with chronic diseases and this mainly associated with educational factor. Nurses have an important role to promoting exercise self-efficacy through implementing a comprehensive plan that is patient's centered approach. However, further research is needed to assess perception, detect barriers and conduct intervention that aims to improve exercise Self-efficacy.
Keywords: Chronic diseases; Exercise self-efficacy; Nursing care.
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