노인 심부전 환자의 건강 문해력에 따른 심부전 지식과 자가 간호

Abstract

Purpose: This study was to investigate the relationships between among health literacy, knowledge and self-care behavior in elderly patients with heart failure(HF).

Methods: 166 patients (age ${\geq}65$ 수식 이미지 years) with HF were recruited in a cardiovascular center of an university affiliated hospital. The structured questionnaire included Health literacy, Dutch Heart Failure Knowledge Scale, European Heart Failure Self-care Behavior, Self-Care of Heart Failure Index. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Chi-test, Pearson correlation analysis, t-test and ANCOVA using SPSS/WIN version 21.0.

Results: Participants with the high level of health literacy were more likely to be younger (p=.001), men (p=.001), with more education (p<.001), and have a job (p=.004), and with a higher economic status (p=.005). The positive correlations between the level of health literacy, knowledge, and self-care behavior were confirmed (p<.001). Participants with the high level of health literacy showed higher level of knowledge, more self-care behavior for health maintenance, and confidence.

Conclusion: This study shows that the level of health literacy may influence knowledge and self-care behavior in elderly patients with HF. In order to improve self-care behaviors in elderly patients, a strategic nursing approach based on the level of patients' health literacy needs to be considered.