Factors predictor health literacy among older adults with risk hypertension disease, Phayao Province

Abstract

            This survey research aimed to study health literacy, hypertension preventive behavior and factors related to health literacy in the prevention of hypertension among older adults. The samples were older adults, who were diagnosed by a doctor as a risk group. The total numbers of 405 participants were selected by Multi-stage random sampling. Data were collected using interview technique and self-administered questionnaire on health literacy and hypertension preventive behavior. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression.

            The results showed that the levels of health literacy of older adults with risk of hypertension disease were marginal, inadequate and adequate (51.1%, 43.0% and 5.9% respectively). Hypertension preventive behaviors were moderate, high and low levels (58.5%, 31.1% and 10.4% respectively). The results found that education, economic status, complications of the disease and access to health information can predict the health literacy among older adults with risk of hypertension 30.4% (p<0.05). Therefore, education, economic status, access to health information and complications of the disease factors should be focused in designing a program which is appropriate with the level of health literacy among older adults.