The Role of Health Literacy in Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Health literacy is an essential indicator of health care habits and consequences. Health literacy and having the right information is effective in better managing symptoms and problems and improving the overall quality of life. This systematic review aimed to analyze previous studies and collect information on multiple sclerosis patients' health literacy.Material and Methods: The PRISMA guidelines were used to define the systematic review methods. PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect Journal, ProQuest, Wiley Online Library, SID, and Magiran databases were searched on 14 January 2022, without restrictions in publication time. We also searched Google Scholar and Research Proposal Information System. Two independent reviewers reviewed the papers' eligibility and extract data into a spreadsheet using a structured form.Results: Of the 165 articles retrieved, 14 were eventually included in the study. All of the studies’ audiences and targets were MS patients and their families or caregivers. Four studies examined the level of health literacy of individuals. Other objectives included determining variables affecting the relationship between patients' health literacy and behaviors, comparing the effects of lecture-based teaching and peer group experience on improving patients' health literacy, and determining psychometric characteristics of the MS patient’s health literacy questionnaire.  Studies assessing people's health literacy revealed that most people have an adequate or acceptable health literacy level.Conclusion: Improving the level of health literacy is one of the fundamental ways to improve the physical and mental health of MS patients to increase compliance and self-care and medication adherence. Accordingly, policymakers need to work on designing effective programs to develop health literacy and overcome the challenges associated with it.