title: Nurse-led intervention on knowledge, attitude and beliefs towards acute coronary syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Coronary heart disease has emerged as a number one killer in Malaysia and globally. Much of the morbidity and mortality in acute coronary syndrome patients is because of patients not recognizing their symptoms which contributes to delay in seeking early treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-led health education programme on knowledge, attitude and beliefs of coronary patients towards the responses to acute coronary syndrome and the association with patients' characteristics.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single-group quasi-experimental design took place in a tertiary hospital. A total of 60 coronary patients were recruited to this study. The knowledge, attitude and beliefs towards acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were evaluated at baseline and after 1 month of giving education intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Knowledge, attitude and beliefs about ACS increased significantly from baseline to 1 month after intervention. Level of attitude was associated with gender, educational level and employment status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study suggest that an education program conducted by a nurse improved patients' level of knowledge, attitudes and beliefs in response to ACS symptoms at 1 month compared to baseline, but whether they are sustained for a longer period is unclear. Improving the responses towards ACS might reduce decision delay in symptom interpretation and seeking early treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurse-led interventions have imparted positive outcomes in response to ACS symptoms among coronary patients. Therefore, nurses should take the initiative in educating patients to minimize delay in symptom interpretation and seeking early treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Sukhbeer K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Darsin Singh
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences (FONAS), Open University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Aini
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Norsiah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rahmat
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Nant Thin Thin
authors.initials: NTT
authors.lastname: Hmwe
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D064648:Critical Care Nursing; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Acute coronary syndrome; Attitude; Belief; Knowledge; Nurse-led intervention