Hypertension: Health Literacy and its Effect on Patient’s Self- Monitoring, Knowledge and Medication Adherence

Abstract

Background: Self-monitoring blood pressure (SMBP) plus clinical support can improve access to care and quality of care for individuals with hypertension while making blood pressure control more convenient and accessible across the population. Aim: To examine the effect of health literacy on hypertensive patient’s self-monitoring, knowledge and medication adherence. Patients and method: A quasi-experimental research design has been utilized. Setting: In hypertension unit in internal medicine department at Assiut University Hospital, Egypt. Sample: Study was done on 90 patients who were fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Tools: Tool I Patient assessment sheet. It divided into three parts; Socio-demographic patients' characteristics, medical assessment, Part II: Blood Pressure Self -Monitoring and Part III: patient awearnace questionnaire sheet Tool II: Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS 8). And Tool III: Health literacy booklet. Results: a highly significant statistical differences between mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure before health literacy  and after every 2 weeks, There is a highly significant statistical difference between pre &post health literacy regarding to patients knowledge and also for medication adherence (P < 0.0001). Regarding to correlation between knowledge scores and medication after health literacy there is a highly significant statistical difference. Conclusion: Health literacy has significant impact on the studied patients which driven to advancement of hypertension management in these patients. Too, increase in their knowledge and adherence to their medications.Recommendations: Activating the role of community-based physician service intervention including patient education and patient-centered objective support

Key words: Health literacy; Self-monitoring blood pressure; Medication adherence, Knowledge

Operational definitions:

Self- Monitoring Blood Pressure (SMBP): Technically refers to the regular measurement of a patient’s own blood pressure

Health literacy: Defined as the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand