Sodium dietary restriction, knowledge, beliefs, and decision-making behavior of older females.
OBJECTIVE
The purposes of this qualitative/descriptive study were to (a) explore experiences and decision-making behaviors associated with adoption of a sodium-restricted diet (SRD) among older women with hypertension or heart failure and (b) identify healthcare system and contextual factors that facilitate or impede adherence to SRD.


METHODS
Participants were 33 single older women, aged 65-98 years, residing in three congregate living facilities in the high-risk "coronary valley" area of the United States. A semistructured interview format was employed with three focus groups. The audio-taped transcribed data were content analyzed for themes by the researchers with the assistance of ATLAS.Ti computer software.


CONCLUSIONS
Predominant themes were lack of SRD education by healthcare providers, a desire for more information about sodium, including the use of alternative herbal seasonings, and large-print informational materials. Eating alone with no motivation to cook and share meals was a contextual barrier to healthy nutrition.


CONCLUSIONS
To prevent costly hospitalizations and rehospitalization from nonadherence to SRD, clinicians need to provide more structured SRD education supplemented with printed brochures. Exploring the client's nutritional social setting may improve SRD adherence.
Sheahan
Sharon L
SL
University of Kentucky, College of Nursing, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0232, USA. sharon@email.uky.edu
Fields
Becky
B
D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003657:Decision Making; D004039:Diet, Sodium-Restricted / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D007629:Kentucky / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D009042:Motivation; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014930:Women / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*