Health Literacy Profiles of Caregivers of Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients.

Abstract

Background: Health literacy among caregivers of patients with myocardial infarction is a crucial area that is still not fully addressed in research.

Objective: In this study, our aim was to explore the health literacy profiles of caregivers of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: A cross-sectional design was used, involving 121 caregivers of patients with AMI recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a demographics questionnaire and the Health Literacy Questionnaire. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to determine health literacy profiles based on Health Literacy Questionnaire scores and sociodemographic characteristics.

Results: Six distinct clusters of health literacy profiles emerged from the analysis. Caregivers in cluster 1 exhibited the highest health literacy levels, whereas those in cluster 6 had the lowest health literacy scores with significant difficulties in understanding and using health information. Caregivers' sociodemographic factors such as age, gender, smoking status, and education level played a significant role in determining health literacy profiles.

Conclusion: The study highlights the diverse health literacy profiles among caregivers of patients with AMI, emphasizing the importance of designing tailored interventions to address these differences to improve the health outcomes of caregivers and patients.