Health literacy of patients with hypertension and diabetes in a northern region of Portugal

Abstract

Background: Health Literacy (HL) is a concept that can be analyzed in 3 domains: health promotion, disease prevention and health care. Objective: Describe HL level of a group of patients with hypertension and diabetes in a northern region of Portugal. Methodology: Cross-sectional descriptive-exploratory study. Sample of convenience, with 401 users of a cluster of health centers in the northern region of Portugal. Data were collected after informed consent of the users, through a survey with the LS assessment scale European Health Literacy Survey (HLS-EU-PT), translated and validated into Portuguese. Descriptive and inferential statistics techniques were used, using SPSS, version 24. Results: Users presented an inadequate or problematic level of HL. These considered the doctor and the nurse as the professionals who can improve their HL level. Conclusion: Low HL level is a problem for health management, it is important to focus on a strategy to increase HL in chronic disease patients.

Cardiac rehabilitation program and health literacy levels: A cross‐sectional, descriptive study

“…The results of this study show that people with an inadequate HL level predominate, followed by those with a problematic level of HL; almost every participant had negative levels of HL. This study supports the findings of other previously published papers on HL (Araújo, ; Araújo et al, ; Costa, Nunes, & Costa, ). Taking into account this evidence, it is pertinent to study the scale of HL in its three different dimensions.…”

“…Recent studies carried out by several entities have focused on the importance of investing in the population's HL (European Commission, , , ; Ignatius Bau et al, ). Some authors report that as age increases, HL levels tend to decrease (Araújo et al, ; Davey, Holden, & Smith, ; Pedro, Amaral, & Escoval, ). That observation was confirmed by the findings of this study, which indicated that the investment in younger generations' education is paying off with respect to HL.…”

“…The results of this study allow us to reflect on clinical practices, in particular those of nurses and doctors, in order to optimize efforts in the interventions directed toward the increase of HL. As other authors mention, there is a need for programs to support the training of citizens and families, enhancing the performance of these elements, and resulting in health gains (Araújo, ; European Commission, , , ).…”

Linha de Cuidado Integral sobre Saúde da Pessoa com Diabetes Mellitus

“…Uma das estratégias é a educação para a saúde responsável pela melhoria da saúde, prevenção de doenças e a reabilitação ou adaptação a uma nova condição de vida. A educação para a saúde capacita as pessoas para zelar pelo seu projeto de saúde, isto é, faz com que elas adquiram conhecimentos, aptidões e competências para melhoria da sua qualidade de vida e, deste modo, serem responsáveis pela sua saúde e as pessoas ao seu redor (23) .…”