Health Literacy, Self-Care Behaviors and Biochemical Parameters Among Hypertensive Patients with Renal Complications in The Ethnic Community of Thailand
Abstract:
The goal of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between biochemical parameters, self-care behaviors, and health literacy in hypertensive patients with renal complications among Tai Lue. The sample consisted of 405 elderly people with kidney complications and were of Tai Lue ethnicity. The study was carried out in rural Phayao Province, Chiang Kham District using a multi-stage sampling method. Face-to-face interviews with questionnaires were used to collect information. Blood pressure (BP) and biochemical parameters, such as fasting blood sugar (FBS) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), were measured. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression using the Backward Multiple Regression Analysis technique were used to analyze the data. The study found that the participants mean age was 68.3 years. A moderate percentage (37.5%) of participants had self-care behavior (SCB) scores (mean=86.17, S.D.=15.48) and nearly half had functional literacy scores (41.5%) (mean=22.46, S.D.=6.15). A significant correlation was found between health literacy (HL), SCB, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), FBS, and eGFR (p<0.01). Multiple linear regression revealed that eating salty foods was a risk factor for SBP in males and for SBP and DBP in females. Body mass index (BMI) (B=0.54), sweet food consumption (B=13.90), and SCB score (B=-0.29) were significantly associated with FBS level (R2=17.8%, p<0.05). Employment (B=2.55), eating bland food (B=4.07), receiving information from family (B=3.53), SCB (B=0.31), and age (B=-0.51) were all significant factors for eGFR (R2=35.0%, p<0.05). Conclusions: HL and SCB levels were associated with the health of hypertensive patients with renal complications in the Tai Lue ethnic community. The significance of organizing health education programs is to emphasize increasing HL to lead to self-care decisions and reduce complications in patients, resulting in improved SCB and quality of life in the future.