Health Literacy as a Predictor of Health-Promoting Lifestyle in Cardiovascular Patients in Southeast Iran

Aims: Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of mortality worldwide and in Iran. Health literacy is a crucial factor in managing these conditions. This study aimed to examine the relationship between health literacy and health-promoting behaviors among patients with cardiovascular diseases in Khāsh, southeastern Iran.Instrument & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, ۳۵۰ patients with CVD from Imam Khomeini Hospital in Khāsh were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using two validated instruments: the Short Form of the Health Literacy for Iranian Adults and the Walker Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation, multiple linear regression, and analysis of variance in SPSS ۲۴.Findings: The mean health literacy score was ۳۶.۲۵±۲۲.۶۵, indicating a poor overall level of health literacy. Health-promoting behaviors were at a moderate level (۱۳۹.۸۴±۲۱.۷۴), with the lowest score observed for physical activity (۲۰.۵۴±۴.۳۹). Health literacy showed the strongest correlation with physical activity (r=۰.۶۳۲; p<۰.۰۰۱) and the weakest correlation with stress management (r=۰.۲۹۷; p<۰.۰۰۱). Regression analysis identified health literacy as the strongest predictor of health-promoting behaviors (β= ۰.۶۶۶; p<۰.۰۰۱), followed by basic health literacy skills (β=۰.۴۳۵) and decision-making skills (β= ۰.۳۳۰). The model explained approximately ۵۲% of the variance in health-promoting behaviors (R²=۰.۵۲۴).Conclusion: health literacy is the strongest predictor of health-promoting behaviors among patients with cardiovascular disease.

کلیدواژه ها:

Health Literacy ، Cardiovascular diseases ، Health-promoting behaviors ، Lifestyle ، Socioeconomic factors