Relationship between health literacy and self-care among patients with chronic heart failure

Background Heart failure (HF) is a serious chronic disease that represents one of the greatest challenges for the healthcare system. It has no cure, but it can be managed by the patient’s adherence to complex self-care practices that maintain physiological stability (maintenance), facilitate symptom perception and response when they occur (management). Health literacy (HL) is a very important concept for everyone to promote health, prevent or better manage health problems when they arise. Aim To determine the relationship between HL and self-care among patients with Chronic Heart Failure (CHF). Research design A descriptive exploratory correlational design was used. Sample A convenience sample of 170 adult male and female patients who were diagnosed with CHF for at least 1 year. Setting The study was conducted at the cardiology clinic at the National Medical Institute in Damanhur Hospital, Egypt. Tools of data collection Three tools were used; (I) patient demographic and medical data form; (II) the self-care of heart failure index (SCHFI) 6.2; (III) the heart failure specific health literacy scale (HFS-HLS). Results For the study participant’s age, nearly half were more (40%) than 60 years old, more than half were male (51.8%), more than three-quarters (85.9%) were married, 45.3% had a secondary education, 55.9% were employed, and 78.8% complained of HF disease for 1–5 years. The total level of HFS-HLS was high (71.8%). The total level of SCHFI 6.2 was sufficient for 52.4% of the study sample. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between SCHFI and the HFS-HLS domains (at P <0.000). Conclusion High HL level improves self-care management in patients with CHF. Recommendation Replication of the study on a large sample in different settings to help with the generalization of the results.