THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEALTH LITERACY AND SELF-MANAGEMENT BEHAVIORS IN KIDNEY TRANSPLANT PATIENTS OF TEHRAN IN 2019: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

The prevalence of chronic renal failure is increasing dramatically all over the world. This disease causes a decrease in the quality of life, increased health care costs, and death. Health literacy as a vital indicator of health care results, and self-management as a critical indicator of disease control and chronic conditions can play together crucial role in these patients. Therefore, the research aimed to investigate the relationship between health literacy and self-management in patients with a kidney transplant.

This cross-sectional study was conducted with 120 participants in Tehran city using a convenience sampling method. Data were collected using a health literacy questionnaire and Kozaka’s self-management behavior specific to kidney transplant patients. SPSS ver. 20 used for data analysis.

The results showed a significant relationship between health literacy and self-management in kidney transplant patients. In addition, health literacy had a statistically significant association with education level, employment, income, and age. Also, self-management had a statistically significant relationship with age, education level, employment, and income.

A significant relationship was found between health literacy and self-management behaviors. Thus, it can be suggested to pay more attention to health literacy, which increases the client's knowledge regarding their condition and its evaluation. Health literacy can also be added to their educational program, both in medical centers and The Associations for the Support of Kidney and Kidney Transplant Patients.