The Effect of Health Literacy, Self-management Behavior, Self-efficacy and Social Support on the Health-related Quality of Life of Kazakh Hypertension Patients in a Low-income Rural Area of China: a structural Equation Model

Background Considering the High Blood Pressure-Health Literacy (HBP-HL) has not been included in the study of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). The synergistic effects and the potential mechanism HBP-HL, self-management behavior, medication adherence, self-efficacy, social support on HRQoL remain unclear. This study aimed to introduce the conception of HBP-HL, and develop a structural equation model to identify the factors influencing of the HRQoL among Kazakh hypertensive patients. Methods A cross-sectional investigation study was conducted to collect data. Patients with hypertension were recruited through random cluster sampling in Kazakh settlements in Urumqi County, Xinjiang. The one-on-one household interviews were conducted by Kazakh investigators. The questionnaires regarding HBP-HL, HRQoL, self-management behavior, medication adherence, self-efficacy, and social support were collected. In addition, the results of physical examination were also included. A structural equation model was used to assess the association between the measured factors and HRQoL. Results 516 Kazakh patients were recruited, and 94.4% of them had a relatively low HBP-HL score. The mean standardized scores of HRQoL, self-management, medication adherence were poor; they were 63.5, 66.2, and 64.4, respectively. But 96.1% and 98.3% of the participants had high levels of self-efficacy and social support. The structural equation model of the HRQoL had a good overall fit (χ2/df = 2.078, AGFI = 0.944, GFI = 0.968, CFI = 0.947, IFI = 0.949, RMSEA = 0.046). The model indicated that the HBP-HL has the highest correlation with HRQoL, following with self-management behavior, social support, and self-efficacy. Conclusions Evidence from this study demonstrates that low HBP-HL is a major influenced factor of HRQoL among Kazakh hypertensive patients. Future programs should consider HBP-HL as the breakthrough point when designing targeting intervention strategies for Kazakh hypertension patients. Firstly, researchers should give a priority to evaluate patient’s HBP-HL before intervention. Next, tailored interventions are implemented for patients, and and ultimately it will contribute to control blood pressure and improve patients’ HRQoL.