Functional Health Literacy in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases: Cross-Sectional Study in Ethiopia

Abstract

This study assessed functional health literacy and associated factors among adult patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 410 respondents from May 1 to July 1, 2020, using a functional health literacy questionnaire consisting of 14 items that covers three conceptually distinct functional health literacy domains: having sufficient information to manage my health, ability to find good health information and understand health information well enough to know what to do. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 23. Data were collected by exit face-to-face interview using an interviewer administered and pre-tested questionnaire. Statistical significance of associated variables had been declared based on the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with its 95% CI and p-value <0.05. Results: Adequate functional health literacy was determined in 55.4% of CVD patients understanding health information whereas inadequate functional health literacy was determined in 53.9% participants for finding health information and in 50.5% of them having sufficient information to manage my health. Educational status was found to have a statistically significant association across the three domains. Conclusion:The functional health literacy level of CVD patients varied by domain. Educational status of the participant is significantly associated with the three domains of functional health literacy whereas household monthly income and number of information sources are significantly associated with having sufficient information and the ability to find good health information. The findings indicate the need to streamline medical communication that improves the functional health literacy of CVD patients.

Level of Patient Health Literacy and Associated Factors Among Adult Admitted Patients at Public Hospitals of West Shoa Oromia, Ethiopia

“…In this study, more than half of the participants had high health literacy. These findings were similar to a study done in Jimma Medical Center, Ethiopia; 19 , 27 even though the patients on follow up may be enhanced health literacy with the health education provided from the health care provider about their treatments. Where as in this study the level of health literacy may be increased due to the information they may get during their stay in hospital.…”

Health Literacy in Ethiopia: Evidence Synthesis and Implications

“…Two studies, 32 and, 33 assessed functional HL (FHL) and communicative HL (CHL) respectively. Tilahun, Gezahegn, Tegenu, Fenta 32 measured FHL among adult patients with cardiovascular diseases using FHL scale adopted from the comprehensive HL Questionnaire (HLQ).…”

“…Two studies, 32 and, 33 assessed functional HL (FHL) and communicative HL (CHL) respectively. Tilahun, Gezahegn, Tegenu, Fenta 32 measured FHL among adult patients with cardiovascular diseases using FHL scale adopted from the comprehensive HL Questionnaire (HLQ). 55 The FHL scale consists of 14 items covering three conceptually distinct domains of the comprehensive HLQ: having sufficient information (four items), finding good health information (five items), and understanding health information (five items).…”

“…1.85(1.09–3.40). Tilahun, Gezahegn, Tegenu, Fenta; 32 2021 Oromiya To assess functional health literacy (FHL) and associated factors in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) patients Cross-sectional/Quantitative Hospital Adult patients with CVDs (410; Sex: M=51.7%; F=48.3% age range 18 to 88 years) Simple random sampling technique Functional health literacy A functional health literacy questionnaire Of the total participants, 53.9% and 50.5% had low FHL in finding health information and for having sufficient information to manage their health respectively, but 55.4% of the participants had adequate FHL in understanding health information. Education, income, gender, access to information, and the disease situation were associated with FHL.…”

Readiness for emergencies and disasters, and health competencies among people with epilepsy

“…Although studies have shown that health competence is insufficient in medically vulnerable groups, especially in individuals with epilepsy 18,19 , studies on health competence in individuals with epilepsy have been limited. 20,21 On the other hand, health competence affects disaster preparedness in individuals with epilepsy has not been adequately studied.…”