Health Literacy Influences Heart Failure Knowledge Attainment but Not Self-Efficacy for Self-Care or Adherence to Self-Care over Time. (24th July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Aleda M. H.; Yehle, Karen S.; Albert, Nancy M.; Ferraro, Kenneth F.; Mason, Holly L.; Murawski, Matthew M.; Plake, Kimberly S.
• Other Names: Dickson Victoria Vaughan Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Nursing research and practice. Volume 2013(2013)
• Publication Date: 2013-07-24
• Subjects: Nursing -- Research -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Periodicals; Evidence-based nursing -- Periodicals; 610.73072
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/353290
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-1429

Abstract

Abstract : Background . Inadequate health literacy may be a barrier to gaining knowledge about heart failure (HF) self-care expectations, strengthening self-efficacy for self-care behaviors, and adhering to self-care behaviors over time. Objective . To examine if health literacy is associated with HF knowledge, self-efficacy, and self-care adherence longitudinally. Methods . Prior to education, newly referred patients at three HF clinics (N = 51, age: 64.7 ± 13.0 years) completed assessments of health literacy, HF knowledge, self-efficacy, and adherence to self-care at baseline, 2, and 4 months. Repeated measures analysis of variance with Bonferroni-adjusted alpha levels was used to test longitudinal outcomes. Results . Health literacy was associated with HF knowledge longitudinally (P < 0.001 ) but was not associated with self-efficacy self-care adherence. In posthoc analyses, participants with inadequate health literacy had less HF knowledge than participants with adequate (P < 0.001 ) but not marginal (P = 0.073 ) health literacy. Conclusions . Adequate health literacy was associated with greater HF knowledge but not self-efficacy or adherence to self-care expectations over time. If nurses understand patients' health literacy level, they may educate patients using methods that promote understanding of concepts. Since interventions that promote self-efficacy and adherence to self-care were not associated with health literacy level, new approaches must be examined.