A survey on Health Literacy of Inpatients Educational Hospitals of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

• Published in: Mudiriyyat-i ittilaat-i salamat Vol. 11; no. 4; pp. 464 - 473
• Main Authors: Hamideh Mollakhalili, Ahmad Papi, Gholamreza Sharifirad, Firoozeh Zare Farashbandi, Akbar HasanZadeh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Persian
• Published: Vesnu Publications 01.09.2014
• Subjects: Health Literacy; Hospitals, Teaching; Inpatients
• ISSN: 1735-7853; 1735-9813

Introduction: Health literacy is a necessary skill for every member of society and helps normal citizens to obtain the knowledge needed to maintain their health. Health literacy is a set of skills in reading, listening, analysis, decision making and the ability to apply these skills to health situations. The purpose of this study was to assess health literacy level in Inpatients of educational Hospitals of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2012. Methods: the statistical population was the inpatients of educational hospitals of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences among which 384 patients were selected as sample based on the assumption of a statistical population with unlimited size. Health literacy was measured by the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA). Reliability of Questionnaire was obtained through Cronbach's alpha which was calculated to be 0.89 and its validity was confirmed by related experts. The data was collected in clinical inquiry and was analyzed using SPSS 20 software using Descriptive (Frequency distribution, mean, standard deviation) and analytical statistics (Independent T-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation test and Spearman correlation test). Results: The average of Health literacy scores in Inpatients was 31.35 in Numeracy test and 31.94 in Reading Comprehension test. The mean total score of health literacy of the patients was 63.29. Thus, the Most of these Inpatients were found to have inadequate health literacy. There were no significant relations between health literacy with gender and monthly income of the patients. On the other hand, health literacy was inversely proportional to the patients' age. Also the mean of health literacy score and its related domains was meaningfully lower in married patients compared to single ones. There was also a direct relation between educational level and health literacy and a meaningful relation was observed between health literacy and the patients' occupation in a way that retired patients and laborers had the lowest health literacy. Also there was no meaningful relation between health literacy of the patients and their place of residence. Conclusion: The results showed that the health literacy was adequate in only 130 patients and most of the patients had poor or marginal health literacy. These patients require more help and time from the medical staff in order to understand the doctors' instructions and other health information. Therefore doctors and nurses must spend more time communicating with them in a simpler and easier to understand language.