Health Literacy among Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: Disparities in Information Seeking, Educational Needs, and the Role of Healthcare Professionals

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a complex disease that poses various challenges to patients. Health Literacy (HL) is considered essential for the effective management of CKD. This phenomenological study explored health literacy in 12 patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis in Padang, Indonesia. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted, and the data were analysed and interpreted using the hermeneutical phenomenological approach of Diekelmann. We found six themes: sources of information and knowledge, differences in patient attitudes and behaviors as health information seekers, learning needs for successful treatment and care, effective learning and education methods, experiences with alternative treatments, and positive relationship with the medical team. The findings revealed significant disparities in patients' relationships to health information; findings also indicated that interaction with healthcare professionals is crucial and may make up for HL difficulties.