Functional Health Literacy in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases: Cross-Sectional Study in Ethiopia

Abstract

Objective

This study assessed functional health literacy and associated factors among adult patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 410 respondents from May 1 to July 1, 2020, using a functional health literacy questionnaire consisting of 14 items that covers three conceptually distinct functional health literacy domains: having sufficient information to manage my health, ability to find good health information and understand health information well enough to know what to do. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 23. Data were collected by exit face-to-face interview using an interviewer administered and pre-tested questionnaire. Statistical significance of associated variables had been declared based on the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with its 95% CI and p-value <0.05.

Results

Adequate functional health literacy was determined in 55.4% of CVD patients understanding health information whereas inadequate functional health literacy was determined in 53.9% participants for finding health information and in 50.5% of them having sufficient information to manage my health. Educational status was found to have a statistically significant association across the three domains.

Conclusion

The functional health literacy level of CVD patients varied by domain. Educational status of the participant is significantly associated with the three domains of functional health literacy whereas household monthly income and number of information sources are significantly associated with having sufficient information and the ability to find good health information. The findings indicate the need to streamline medical communication that improves the functional health literacy of CVD patients.

Keywords:

• health literacy
• cardiovascular diseases
• adults
• Ethiopia

Abbreviations

CNCD, Chronic non-communicable diseases; SPSS, Statistical Package for Social Sciences; COR, Crude odds ratios; AOR, Adjusted odds ratio; HL, Health literacy; FHLL, Functional health literacy level; JMC, Jimma Medical Center; CVD, Cardiovascular diseases; HLQ, Health literacy questionnaire; VIF, Variance of inflation factor; LR, Likelihood ratio; SD, Standard deviation.

Data Sharing Statement

Due to no consent from the study participants to disclose raw data, this data could not be made available in order to protect the participants’ identity.

Consent for Publication

Not applicable.

Acknowledgment

We are grateful to Jimma University, Faculty of Health Science, JMC administrative body, school of nursing, nurses, and data collectors. Last but not least, we would like to thank the study participants for their wholehearted effort to provide information.

Author Contributions

All authors (DT, AG, KT and BF) made substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; took part in drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; agreed to submit to the current journal; gave final approval of the version to be published; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors reported no conflicts of interest for this work.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Jimma University. This funding organization hadn’t involved or hadn’t any role in the design of the study, collection, analysis, interpretation of data, and in writing the manuscript.