Abstract
While health literacy influences better outcomes of mental health patients, sociocultural factors shape the nature of the relationship. On this matter, little is known about how sociocultural factors affect health literacy practices of nurses, especially in low-income countries. This paper examines how local precepts, within culture and language, shape mental health nurses’ (MHNs) practice and understanding of patients’ health literacy level in Ghana. The study used a qualitative descriptive design involving 43 MHNs from two psychiatric hospitals. Conventional content analysis was used to analyze the data. Although the MHNs acknowledged the importance of health literacy associated with patients’ health outcomes, their practice was strongly attributed to patients’ substantial reliance on cultural practices and beliefs that led to misinterpretation and non- compliance to treatments. MHNs shared similar sociocultural ideas with patients and admitted that these directed their health literacy practice. Additionally, numerous health system barriers influenced the adoption of health literacy screening tools, as well as the MHNs’ low health literacy skills. These findings suggest MHNs’ direct attention to the broader social determinants of health to enhance the understanding of culture and its impact on health literacy practice.
Highlights
Mental health is a major concern in high, low, and middle-income countries
Health literacy practice goes beyond the individual and incorporates the broader health system, including health professionals and the logistics of the local culture, the education system, and how these factors interact [11]
This paper examines how contextual precepts such as culture, religious beliefs, and language situate mental health nurses’ (MHNs) practice and understanding of patients’ health literacy in Ghana
Summary
Mental health is a major concern in high, low-, and middle-income countries. Mental disorders account for an estimated 12% of the global burden of diseases. Common approaches in health literacy practice include: use of standardized health communication tools, using of plain language, face-to-face communication and drawings, involving frontline staff (for example nurses, doctors, administrators), partnering with patients to improve communication, and establishing a health literate organization, which develops universal precautions for clear communication [10,12]. In this regard, health literacy practice is a promising approach to improving public and patients’ health outcomes through knowledge and application of health information [13,14]
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