Abstract
Background: Difference in health literacy skills among peoples is a cause of health inequality and has a profound effect on health care system. Correlation between health literacy and health outcome of patient subsequently demands identification of patient’s health literacy level by health professionals. Objective: The study aims to assess the health literacy knowledge and understanding of registered nurses working in tertiary care teaching hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional method was employed among 125 registered nurses. Health Literacy Knowledge and Experience Survey (HLKES-2) was used to gather knowledge related data. Descriptive statistical tools, t Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis H were used to analyze the data. A focus group discussion (N=10) was conducted to obtain nurses' understanding of health literacy. Results: Majority of nurses had not heard the term health literacy before. Finding suggest gap in health literacy knowledge among nurses. Knowledge scarcity was in almost all areas but noticeably in the area of evaluation of healthcare teaching. Half of the respondent scored less than 50% of the total score. Analysis demonstrated that Health literacy knowledge was independent of nurses' characteristics. Conclusion: limited knowledge of health literacy among nurses stresses for integration of health literacy education in nursing curriculum and continuing education.
Highlights
Delivering quality health care service to all people is an ultimate objective of any health care systems in the world, irrespective of their individual characteristics (WHO, 2017)
If nurses have a clear understanding of health literacy concept this may lead to better understanding and to a better health literacy practice
Nurses are in best position to affect patient health literacy
Summary
Delivering quality health care service to all people is an ultimate objective of any health care systems in the world, irrespective of their individual characteristics (WHO, 2017). Whereas, limited literacy of an individual impacts their health behaviors, decision making capacity for improving health and wellbeing and health outcomes (Parker, 2000). The Institute of Medicine report defines health literacy as “the extent to which an individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services that are necessary to make appropriate health decisions” (Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Health Literacy, 2004). Objective: The study aims to assess the health literacy knowledge and understanding of registered nurses working in tertiary care teaching hospital. Analysis demonstrated that Health literacy knowledge was independent of nurses' characteristics. Conclusion: limited knowledge of health literacy among nurses stresses for integration of health literacy education in nursing curriculum and continuing education
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