Abstract
BackgroundHypertension is a universal risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in both the ageing and obese populations and patients must be literate in hypertension health issues to participate actively in the management of their disease. Little research has been done to investigate hypertension health literacy levels among South Africans.AimTo develop a Hypertension Heath Literacy Assessment Tool to establish patients’ comprehension of the health education they receive in primary healthcare (PHC) clinics in Tshwane, Gauteng, South Africa.SettingPHC clinics in Tshwane, Gauteng, South Africa.MethodsThe design was quantitative, descriptive and contextual in nature. The study population comprised health promoters who were experts in the field of health, documents containing hypertension health education content and individuals with hypertension. Participants were conveniently and purposefully selected. A modified Delphi technique was used to develop and validate the Hypertension Health Literacy Assessment Tool (HHLAT). To ensure validity and reliability of the HHLAT, the tool was administered to 195 participants concurrently with the Learning Ability Battery (LAB).ResultsThere was a strong positive (F = 76.0, p < 0.0001, R2 = 28.25%) correlation between the LAB and the HHLAT. The HHLAT indicated that only 37 (19%) of the patients with hypertension had poor hypertension health literacy levels.ConclusionThe HHLAT is a valid tool that can be used in busy PHC clinics as it takes less than two minutes to administer. This tool can inform the healthcare worker on the depth of hypertension health education to be given to the patient, empowering the patient and saving time in PHC facilities.
Highlights
Introduction and backgroundHypertension is a chronic, preventable non-communicable disease, the causes of which are related to genetics, behaviour and lifestyle.[1]
The Health Literacy Assessment Tool (HHLAT) is a valid tool that can be used in busy primary healthcare (PHC) clinics as it takes less than two minutes to administer
This tool can inform the healthcare worker on the depth of hypertension health education to be given to the patient, empowering the patient and saving time in PHC facilities
Summary
Introduction and backgroundHypertension is a chronic, preventable non-communicable disease, the causes of which are related to genetics, behaviour and lifestyle.[1]. According to the WHO,[4] the African region has a higher prevalence of hypertension than the American region. Tibazwara and Damasceno[5] state that 639 million people with hypertension live in developing countries with limited health resources, and according to these authors, people in these countries tend to have low awareness of hypertension and poor blood pressure control; the prevalence is expected to increase by 2025. Based on the Rapid Estimate Adult Literacy in Medicine – Revised (REALM-R) tool,[6] the first author developed a tool to assess hypertension health literacy in PHC and to identify patients at risk of poor hypertension health literacy. Hypertension is a universal risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in both the ageing and obese populations and patients must be literate in hypertension health issues to participate actively in the management of their disease. Little research has been done to investigate hypertension health literacy levels among South Africans
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