Health behaviours of patients with cirrhosis

The aim of the study was to investigate and compare the health behaviours of patients with cirrhosis. The study was conducted from February to June 2012. Before starting the study, the consent was received by the Bioethics Committee at the Medical University of Lublin. The group of 92 patients with cirrhosis was examined, in Świętokrzyskie, Lubelskie and Mazowieckie voivodeships. The main criteria of selection were: known cirrhosis during the hospital treatment and acceptance for participation in the study. The Health Behaviour Inventory (IZZ) by Juczyński was extracted in the study. It contains 24 statements that describe the various types of health-related behaviours and are divided into 4 categories describing health behaviours. For the purposes of the evaluation such behaviours as: proper eating habits, proactive behaviours, health practices and positive mental attitude have been defined. The study group was characterized by average health behaviors, the results were within the 5 and 6 Sten. Studies have shown a higher intensity of health behaviors in the category of a positive mental attitude and proactive behaviour, while less intensity was visible in the category of proper eating habits and health practices. It has been shown that there are statistically significant differences between health behaviour, gender and age of the respondents. Women had significantly higher intensity of correct eating habits and proactive behaviours. Respondents aged 51 years old or older had the best health behaviours in all the categories of health behaviours. The study showed no statistically significant differences between health behaviour and the time of diagnosis, place of residence and education of the respondents.