Health education needs of adolescents with congenital heart disease.

Self-concept, health beliefs, health behaviors, health information sources, and perceived health information needs were assessed in 90 patients with congenital heart disease and 54 peers without chronic illness, ages 13 to 22 years. Data revealed that patients with congenital heart disease did not differ from their healthy counterparts in overall self-concept, health beliefs, use of preventive health services, and sources of health information. Patients with congenital heart disease reported greater perceived stress in comparison to peers. Significantly more patients with heart disease needed information regarding pregnancy and contraception, and older cardiac subjects were less likely to be sexually active. For these patients who currently seem to rely largely on peers for some critical health information, sensitive and comprehensive counseling by health professionals is imperative.