The aim of this study was to verify the influence of sociodemographic variables on patients' meanings and attitudes related to cardiac surgery. A hundred twenty five patients in preoperative period were interviewed. Data were collected throughout Meanings of Patients related to Cardiac Surgery and Beliefs (MPRCS), Beliefs, Values and Feelings related to Cardiac Surgery (BVFCS) instruments and they were analyzed by using Pearson's correlation coefficient and Mann-Whitney and KruskalWallis tests. It was observed statistical significant correlations between age, number of children, income and the positive factors of MPRCS instrument. Gender, level of education, previous stressing events, living arrangements, and race were the sociodemographic variables that were associated to the patients' meanings and attitudes. It was concluded that meanings and attitudes of these patients were influenced by some sociodemographic variables, and these results can be relevant for planning and implementing some educative practices.
Health knowledge; Thoracic surgery; erioperative nursing
