Author/Authors :
Akbari, Mohammad Cardiac Rehabilitation Research Center - Cardiovascular Research Institute - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , Mousavi, Masoumeh Sadat Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center - School of Nursing and Midwifery - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , Shirani, Farimah Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center - Cardiovascular Research Institute - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , Massoumi, Gholamreza Department of Anesthesiology - School of Medicine - Chamran Hospital - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , Shafeie, Mohammadreza Hypertension Research Center - Cardiovascular Research Institute - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , Niknejad, Reyhaneh Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center - School of Nursing and Midwifery - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , Khourasani, Parvaneh Department of Community Health Nursing - School of Nursing and Midwifery - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , Alavi, Mousa Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center - School of Nursing and Midwifery - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , Ghadami, Ahmad Department of Operating Room - School of Nursing and Midwifery - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract :
BACKGROUND: Low health literacy can act as a barrier to effective disease self-management.
The study aimed to promote heart health literacy in Iranian society.
METHODS: This study was conducted as a participatory action research (PAR) based on Zuber-
Skerritt Model to design and implement a program for promoting heart health literacy in
Iranian society. Participants were selected among adults with heart diseases and their family
members, as well as their health care providers in Chamran Hospital, Isfahan Heart Friends
association and researchers, and Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan, Iran. Data
collection was conducted using interviews. Content analysis was used to analyze the data to
promote heart health literacy. Promoting of heart health literacy was implemented in different
levels in Isfahan from March 2017 to October 2017. The effect of the program was evaluated
based on interviews, feedback, and focus groups at the individual level.
RESULTS: Finally, at the World Heart Week, a healthy heart campaign was formed with the
slogan "Share the power". At the end of this program, participants experienced significant
empowerment during the project to promote heart health literacy. The three main themes
indicating this feeling of empowerment were “Being worried about the hearts of others”,
“Sensitization to the care of the heart”, and “General understanding of heart health”.
CONCLUSION: PAR can be an effective way to promote heart health literacy in Iranian society. It
integrates the voices of the marginalized group promoting heart health literacy in Iranian society.
Keywords :
Heart , Iran , Health Literacy , Action Research
