Association between health literacy, general psychological factors, and adherence to medical treatment among Danes aged 50–80 years

BMC Geriatrics

Jesper B Nielsen¹  Subash Thapa¹ 

[1] Research Unit of General Practice, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 9, 5000, Odense, Denmark;

关键词: Chronic disease management;    Health literacy;    Medication behavior;    Medication perception;    Patient self-management;    Self-assessed health;    Treatment adherence;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12877-021-02339-y

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundUnderstanding behavioral factors associated with low health literacy (HL) is relevant for health care providers to better support their patients’ health and adherence to preventive treatment. In this study, we aim to study associations between low HL and socio-demographic characteristics, medication-related perceptions and experience, as well as general psychological factors among patients aged 50–80 years.MethodsWe used a cross-sectional survey design based on a representative group of 6,871 Danish citizens aged 50–80 years returning a web-based questionnaire with socio-demographic data added from a national registry. Chi-square tests were conducted to analyze associations between low HL and daily use of medication and self-rated health. Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were conducted for analyzing data from respondents using prescribed medicines daily (N = 4,091).ResultsRespondents with low HL were more often on daily medications (19 % [777/4,091] vs. 16 % [436/2,775]; P < 0.001) and were more likely to have poorer self-rated health (P < 0.001). Among patients on daily medications, low HL was significantly higher among men and those with lower educational attainment and lower family income. Low HL was independently and positively associated with perceptions that taking prescribed medicines daily is difficult and time-consuming, with forgetting to take prescribed medicines, and with lower satisfaction with life and poor self-assessed health.ConclusionsOur study provides information that patients aged 50–80 years with low HL are challenged on their adherence to treatment plans which is not only related to traditional sociodemographic factors but also on perceptions related to taking medication per se.

【 授权许可】

CC BY