Factors associated with the decision to seek health care in myocardial infarction: gender differences

Abstract

Analyze cognitive and emotional variables between genders in terms of the decision time (DT) to seek care when experiencing symptoms of myocardial infarction. One hundred adults were interviewed at two hospitals in Salvador-BA. The analysis used percentage means, the chi-square test, and a robust linear regression model. Most participants were male, with a mean age of 58.78 years and a low socioeconomic status. The geometrical mean of the sample was 1.1h (0.9h for men, and 1.4h for women). A shorter decision time was found for those who considered their symptoms to be severe, and a longer decision time for those who expected symptoms to improve and took something to feel better, with statistically significant associations. An interaction was observed between gender and the following variables: waiting for symptoms to improve (p=0.014), concealing symptoms (p=0.016) and asking for help (p=0.050), thus an association was observed between the variables of interest and DT. The decision times were long and were affected by cognitive, emotional and gender variables. Nursing care may promote early assistance.