Factors associated with usability of the empowersustain global cardiovascular risks self-management booklet© among individuals with metabolic syndrome in primary care/ Mohamad Abu Zar Abdul Halim

Introduction: Self-management support has been recognized as one of the most essential elements of the Chronic Care Model (CCM). Inspired by the CCM, the EMPOWER-SUSTAIN Global Cardiovascular Risks Self-Management Booklet© was developed to aid and sustain self-management among patients with Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) in primary care to prevent cardiovascular complications. However, the usability of this booklet among these patients was not known. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the usability of this self-management booklet and to identify the factors associated with its usability among patients with MetS in primary care.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among patients with MetS attending two university primary care clinics in Selangor, Malaysia. The usability score was measured using a previously translated and validated EMPOWER-SUSTAIN Usability Questionnaire (E-SUQ) with a score value of >68 indicating good usability. Multiple logistic regressions determined the factors associated with its usability.
Results: A total of 391 patients participated in this study. More than half (61.4%) had a good usability score of > 68, with a mean (±SD) usability score of 72.8 (±16.1). Participants with high education levels [secondary education (AOR 2.46, 95% CI 1.04, 5.83) and tertiary education (AOR 2.50, 95% CI 1.04, 5.96)], those who used the booklet at home weekly (AOR 2.94, 95% CI 1.63, 5.33) or daily (AOR 2.73, 95% CI 1.09, 6.85), and had social support to use the booklet (AOR 1.64, 95% CI 1.02, 2.64), were significantly associated with good usability of the booklet.
Conclusions: The usability of the EMPOWER-SUSTAIN Global Cardiovascular Risks Self-Management Booklet© was good among patients with MetS in these primary care clinics, which supports its widespread use as a patient empowerment tool. The findings of this study also suggest that it is vital to encourage daily or weekly use of this booklet at home, with the support of family members. The focus should also be given to those with lower education to improve the usability of this booklet in this group of patients.