A study to assess the self-efficacy among patients with osteoarthritis in a selected hospital, Bengaluru

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease in which the cartilage in the joints deteriorates and the bones rub against each other, causing pain, stiffness and restricted range of motion. This is an age-related condition that affects initially isolated joints or joints on one aspect of the body. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2005), osteoarthritis affected 33.6% (12.4 million) of American adults 65 years and older. Self -efficacy has been shown to play a critical role in chronic disease management, including osteoarthritis, as it affects patients’ willingness to engage in behaviors like physical exercise, adherence to medications regimes and lifestyle changes. Nurses have a critical role in the holistic assessment and care of osteoarthritis patients. Methodology: A descriptive Non-experimental research design was used. The study was conducted among Osteoarthritis patients, who aged above 40 years visting orthopedic OPD or in ortho wards and medicine ward in a selected hospital, Bengaluru. A total of 81 Osteoarthritis patients were recruited using non-probability purposive sampling technique. Self-efficacy was assessed by using the Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale and the data was analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result: The present study findings showed that the mean score of self-efficacy of patients with osteoarthritis is 6.18±1.35, which shows that these subjects had high self-efficacy and according to the subscale shows that mean score of self-efficacy pain scale is 5.7±1.54, self-efficacy function scale is 6.4±1.51, self-efficacy other symptoms scale is 6.2±1.384. There were statistically significance association of self-efficacy with occupation, income and BMI and no statistically significant association of self-efficacy with age, gender, education, marital status, family support, duration of disease, family history, type of osteoarthritis, comorbidities, surgical history, medical treatment of patients with osteoarthritis. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that patients with Osteoarthritis demonstrate high level of self-efficacy. This suggests that many individuals with osteoarthritis are confident in their ability to manage symptoms, adhere treatment regimens, and maintain functional independence. Self-efficacy of Osteoarthritis remains vital part to improve the disease condition and it helps to maintain optimum health and improve the health status of the patients who are affected by Osteoarthritis.