Effect of educational interventions on health literacy in patients with heart failure

Abstract

The prevalence of heart failure (HF) is a major public health concern associated with negative health outcomes and poor quality of life. HF patients with low health literacy are considered as high-risk population with poor self-care confidence and negative health outcomes. In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of educational interventions on level of health literacy, self-efficacy and self-car behavior among patients with HF. Participants included 80 patients with HF aged 30–79 years. Prior to receiving education, they completed a series of neuropsychological tests and measures of health literacy, self-efficacy, self-care and socio-demographic characteristics. Health literacy was poor for the majority of patients and it was significantly associated with assessment measures of self-efficacy and self-care (p < 0.05). The regression model showed that age, education level, place of residence and substance addiction were important potential confounders to control level of health literacy and self-efficacy while self-care behaviors were only controlled by education level. Educational interventions could be an effective way to improve health literacy skills and self-care confidence among patients with HF. HF patients with adequate health literacy were younger and had higher levels of educational attainment.