The relationship between attitude toward self-care behaviors and health literacy in cardiac patients hospitalized in educational hospital

Self-care has the main role in controlling heart failure. Moreover, health literacy is a key determinant of health and the first priority in improving the quality of health services. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between attitude toward self-care behaviors and literacy in cardiac patients admitted to educational hospitals in Khorramabad city.  

  The present study was a cross_sectional and analytical study in which the 182 heart patients admitted to the educational hospitals of khoramabad were randomly assigend to several stages. The research tool was standard questionnaires about self _care behaviors and Health Literacy Assessment Questionnaire (HELIA). Data were analyzed using SPSS 16 software and independent t_tests, analysis of variance and pearson correlation coefficient.  

The mean score of self-care in patient was  36.5± 5.32, and according to the division of self-care, 29.7 percent had average and 70.3 had good self-care. The mean score of health literacy was 99.25 ±52.66 . The correlation coefficient between self-care and health literacy score was 0.23 (p<0.001).  

The need to improve the health literacy of cardiovascular patients as a prerequisite for promoting self-care behaviors in these patients should be addressed through mass media and health centers to help control disease and enhance patients' ability to manage their disease.