Author/Authors :
Khaleghparast, Shiva Rajaie Cardiovascular, Medical, and Research Center - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran , Maleki, Alireza Department of Anesthesiology - Hazrat Rasool Akram Hospital - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran , Salesi, Mahmood Chemical Injuries Research Center - Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute - Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran , Ghanbari, Behrooz Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease Research Center - Firoozgar Hospital - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran , Maleki, Majid Cardiovascular Intervention Research Center - Rajaie Cardiovascular, Medical and Research Center - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
Abstract :
Background: Today, health literacy is introduced as a global issue and debate, and low health literacy
appears to be related to nonadherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors and health inequalities.
Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the health status of patients with
cardiovascular disease and its relationship with the patients’ adherence status to their drug
therapy.
Methods: The present study was a descriptive correlational study. The research population comprised
the patients referred to our clinics. Four hundred participants were selected based on the
inclusion and exclusion criteria from the research population. The sampling method was simple
random sampling. The instrument consisted of 2 parts: the first part evaluated demographic
information and the second part was based on the combination of 2 standard instruments of
cardiovascular literacy and adherence to treatment, which were used after being modified and
reassessed in terms of validity and reliability. The obtained information was analyzed with the
SPSS software, version 19. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used.
Results: The Spearman test indicated general health literacy had a significant relationship with
treatment (r = 0.31, P < 0.001). This correlation was also observed in relation to the subscales
of perception of health (r = 0.27) and health behavior by adherence to treatment (r = 0.29,
P < 0.001). If the participants received information through their physicians, they showed a
significant relationship between health literacy (in all subscales) and adherence to treatment
(P < 0.001).
Conclusions: The results showed a high correlation between health literacy and adherence to treatment.
Therefore, considering the importance of cardiovascular diseases, as well as the importance of
health literacy and its relevance to adherence to treatment, we suggest that the television sets
located in the clinics of the center broadcast educational videos during the waiting period for
the clients.
