The Predictors of Health Literacy in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: An Application of the Social Cognitive Theory

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity. The present study aimed to determine the predictors of health literacy in patients with COPD in Shahrekord, Iran.

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 70 patients with COPD in Hajar and Kashani hospitals in Shahrekord in 2019. The patients were selected via convenience sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire based on the social cognitive theory and health literacy standard questionnaire (HELIA). Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 18 using regression analysis and Pearson's correlation-coefficient.

The mean score of health literacy was 43.17±24.78, while the mean scores of knowledge, skills, perceive self-efficacy, and reinforcement were 28.14±9.78, 56.84±15.31, 32.60±14.02, and 63.06±21.97, respectively. The results of multiple regression analysis indicated that skills (P=0.006) and perceived self-efficacy (P=0.011) could predict health literacy in the patients with COPD.

According to the results, skills and perceived self-efficacy based on the social cognitive theory could be an appropriate framework for designing training interventions in order to improve the health literacy of patients with COPD.