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Health Literacy among patients with end‐stage kidney disease and kidney transplant recipients
Author(s) -
Lennerling Annette,
Petersson Ingrid,
Andersson Ulla-Maj,
Forsberg Anna
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of caring sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.678
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1471-6712
pISSN - 0283-9318
DOI - 10.1111/scs.12860
Subject(s) - medicine , cohort , kidney transplantation , health literacy , cohort study , kidney disease , transplantation , end stage renal disease , disease , health care , family medicine , gerontology , economics , economic growth
Main problem Self‐management is essential for patients both before and after kidney transplantation and requires an adequate level of health literacy (HL), that is the ability to comprehend and process health information. Low HL is associated with poor clinical outcome and an increased risk of death. In Europe, HL has been scarcely studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of HL in a Swedish cohort of kidney transplant (KTx) candidates and KTx recipients. Methods A single centre cross‐sectional cohort study. Participants; n = 50 KTx candidates and n = 49 KTx recipients. HL was measured with the Newest Vital Sign instrument (NVS). Statistical analysis was made using the chi‐square, Mann–Whitney U ‐ or t‐test. Results Study participants; n = 99, 61.6% male, mean age 52 years. Low or possible inadequate HL was seen in 20%. There was no statistical difference in the levels of HL related to sex, educational level, ability to work or between KTx candidates and KTx recipients. Conclusions In this cohort, one fifth had low or possible inadequate HL measured by the NVS. Screening is needed to identify persons with poor HL. These persons require tailored education and person‐centred care to cope with self‐management.