Key result
Higher health literacy shows a borderline association with lower odds of uncontrolled hypertension.
Why the study?
Uncontrolled hypertension is a major public health problem globally, prompting this investigation into its prevalence and causes to facilitate more effective control methods.
Is health literacy associated with hypertension control in adults with hypertension?
Cross-Sectional (n=303)
Is health literacy associated with hypertension control in adults with hypertension?
Effect estimate: OR 0.97
p-value: p=0.06
Higher health literacy, treatment adherence, and physical activity are associated with better hypertension control, while increased salt intake and smoking are associated with uncontrolled hypertension.
Borderline health literacy association warrants no practice change; leaves open causal effects for prospective validation.
Background: Uncontrolled hypertension is a major public health problem among patients in developed and developing countries. The present study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and causes of uncontrolled hypertension to facilitate the design of more effective methods of hypertension control. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 303 adults with hypertension. The Standard Health Literacy Questionnaire was used to collect data. Uncontrolled hypertension was ascertained based on the WHO definition. A multiple logistic regression model was used at a 95% confidence level. Variables considered were confounders including age, sex, marital status, family size, income (monthly mean), smoking (past or current), education level, and physical activity (times in a week). Results: The mean (SD) age of the participants (n=303) was 59.3(12.7) years, and 57.4% were men. The prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension was 50.5%. The mean score of health literacy among patients with controlled hypertension was higher than that among patients with uncontrolled hypertension (64.83±23.72 vs 46.28±22.19; P<0.001). The odds of uncontrolled hypertension decreased by 3% in the patients (OR: 0.97; P=0.06). Adherence to treatment (OR: 0.13; P<0.001), salt consumption per package purchased per month (OR: 4.40; P=0.001), increased physical activity per hour per week (OR: 0.56; P<0.001), current or passive cigarette smoking (OR: 4.59; P=0.010), a positive history of chronic diseases (OR: 2.62; P=0.027), and increased family size (per 1 child) (OR: 0.57; P<0.001) were associated with uncontrolled hypertension. Conclusion: The results showed a borderline association between increased health literacy and hypertension control. Additionally, increased salt consumption, reduced physical activity, small family size, and underlying diseases (eg, diabetes, chronic heart disease, and renal disease) could increase the odds of uncontrolled hypertension in Iranian society.
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Sohrabi et al. (2023) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=303). Health literacy was evaluated on Uncontrolled hypertension (OR 0.97, p=0.06). Increased health literacy showed a borderline association with decreased odds of uncontrolled hypertension (OR 0.97; P=0.06).
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