Health literacy: Assessment of patients in renal replacement therapy

Abstract

Introduction: Considering the prevalence of patients on renal replacement therapy, it is extremely revealing to evaluate the ability to understand and apply the guidelines that these individuals receive in health services. Objective: To study the impact of the health literacy level of patients on hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation, associated with cognitive aspects, therapeutic adherence and quality of life. Material and Method: Cross-sectional study conducted with individuals over 18 years old, undergoing some type of renal replacement therapy, for three consecutive months. The Brazilian versions of the instruments were applied: Short Assessment of Health Literacy for Portuguese-speaking Adults-18, Mini Mental State Examination, 36-Item Short Form and the Morisky scale, as well as a questionnaire on clinical and sociodemographic data. Results: 138 patients were evaluated, 50 (36.2%) on hemodialysis treatment, 23 (16.7%) peritoneal dialysis and 65 (47.1%) renal transplantation. The average age was 52.0 ± 15.5 years and 58.0% male. Patients with inadequate literacy (51.4%) had an income equal to or less than the minimum salary (P=0.002) and completed elementary school or lower (P<0.001). Individuals with adequate literacy had incomplete high school or higher education, income equal to or higher than five minimum salaries and higher score in the ‘emotional aspects related to quality of life’ domain (P=0.052). Conclusions: Our results suggest that the level of literacy is associated with income and education in patients undergoing renal function replacement.