Correlation Between Health Literacy Levels and Healthcare Behaviors in Patients With Heart Failure in Shahid Mohammadi Hospital (Bandar Abbas, Iran)

Background: Heart failure (HF) is one of the most prevalent cardiovascular disorders. Patients with HF need self-care behaviors and, thus, need to be equipped with health literacy to make informed decisions. This study aimed to evaluate health literacy among patients with HF hospitalized in Shahid Mohammadi Hospital, Bandar Abbas, Iran, and its effect on self-care behaviors. Methods: The present cross-sectional correlational investigation was conducted on 192 patients with HF selected via convenience sampling. The data collection instruments were HF health literacy in 3 domains and the European Heart Failure Self-care Behavior scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS, version 23, and descriptive statistics were used along with the Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: The mean score of health literacy and self-care was 34.6 and 30, respectively. A statistically significant correlation was found between the functional dimension of health literacy and self-care. Thus, a higher health literacy rate was associated with more self-care efforts. The mean score of health literacy varied among the subjects with different education levels. Conclusions: Considering the statistically significant relationship between health literacy and self-care, it is essential to pay attention to the promotion of the whole dimension of health literacy among patients with HF, especially those of lower education levels, in order to improve their level of self-care. Effective interventions are required to improve patients’ skills in the critical analysis of information and to promote their power of making therapeutic decisions.