Relationship between health literacy and lifestyle in patients at risk and with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of the most important progressive pulmonary disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between health literacy and lifestyle in patients at risk and with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

In this descriptive-analytical study, 224 patients referred to Allameh Bohlool Gonabad Hospital participated. Sampling was carried out in an easy method and the data were measured by form of demographic information, Health Literacy of Iranian Adults (HELIA) and Miller & Smith Life Style standard questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 and inferential statistics, chi-square, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis and Spearman correlation coefficient.

The mean of health literacy score in patients with and at risk was 109.32 ± 26.60 and 78.69 ± 29.70, respectively. The mean of life style score in patients with and at risk was 56.29 ± 9.50 and 51.41 ± 11.57, respectively. The findings showed low health literacy especially in reading skill dimension and sick life style. Significant relationships were found between health literacy and lifestyle (P=0.00, r=0.58).

Health literacy scores were higher in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lower lifestyle. Therefore, just by raising the awareness of patients cannot be achieved a healthy lifestyle and further action is needed.