Health literacy and self-care among the elderly population in urban Manipur, India: A cross-sectional study

Background: Health literacy (HL) is a key determinant of health. Self-care behaviors are crucial for maintaining health and quality of life among the elderly population, as they help reduce morbidity and mortality. Limited HL can impede these practices. Objective: This study assessed HL and self-care among the urban elderly in Manipur, India, and their association with sociodemographic characteristics. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the elderly population from January 2023 to March 2025. Using stratified random sampling with proportional allocation, 292 participants were selected. Data were collected using the Health Literacy Survey European Union Questionnaire, short version with 16 items, and the Appraisal of Self-Care Agency Scale-Revised. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and binary logistic regression were employed. Results: The mean age of the participants was 65.6 ± 3.7 years, and more than half ( n = 161, 55%) were females. A majority (89.7%) had insufficient HL, and most (91.1%) showed inadequate self-care. Individuals from nuclear families had a significantly lower likelihood of having sufficient HL ( P = 0.028). Participants belonging to the Hindu religion had a lower chance of having high self-care ( P = 0.026). Those with class X or higher education were more likely to have high self-care than those with lower education levels ( P = 0.005). Conclusions: Nearly 9 out of 10 participants had insufficient HL and inadequate self-care. Targeted measures to improve HL and self-care should be taken, as they are important determinants of health.