Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with health literacy in people hospitalized for chronic diseasesObjective: to identify the association between health literacy and sociodemographic and clinical variables of hospitalized patients in people hospitalized with chronic diseases.
Method: this was a cross-sectional study of patients with chronic illnesses admitted to a general hospital. A sociodemographic/clinical questionnaire and the Health Literacy Questionnaire comprising nine scales measured by scores, were used, with descriptive and inferential data analysis.
Results: Social Support for Health was associated with the level of primary education (p=0.009). Understanding and Support from Health Professionals were related to the length of chronic illness (p=0.044). Evaluation of Health Information was associated with age (p=0.001), being able to read (p=0.010) and write (p=0.032). Navigating the Health System was also associated with age (p=0.018), as was the Ability to Find Good Health Information (p=0.002) and being able to read (p=0.010), and Understanding Health Information Well Enough to Know What to Do was associated with age (p=0.001) and being able to write (p=0.010).
Conclusion: schooling, age group, length of time with a chronic illness, and being able to read and write interfere with health literacy. This highlights the need for personalized strategies that take these variables into account in order to improve health literacy in hospitalized populations.
Descriptors:
Health Literacy; Noncommunicable Diseases; Hospitalization; Chronic Diseases; Access to Information; Health Management
Highlights:
(1) The first Brazilian study to assess the health literacy of people with CNCDs. (2) Strengths: ability to interact, navigate the system, and social support. (3) Weaknesses: evaluation of health information and ability to find it. (4) Age, schooling, and ability to read and write interfere with health literacy.