HEALTH LITERACY OF PEOPLE WITH HYPERTENSION AND DIABETES MONITORED BY A FAMILY HEALTH TEAM IN THE CAPITAL OF THE WESTERN AMAZON

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension and diabetes are chronic non-communicable diseases that require knowledge and understanding of the disease, treatment, adherence, and changes in habits and lifestyle from their patients. Objective: To assess the Health Literacy (HL) level of users diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes linked to a family health team. Methodology: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, in which a specific questionnaire to assess health literacy (Health Literacy Questionnaire - HLQ-Br) and a sociodemographic questionnaire were applied to 92 users diagnosed with hypertension and/or diabetes from a Basic Health Unit in Porto Velho-RO. Results: the study population presented high health literacy in the skills of navigating the health system (Mean 3.5), ability to find good health information (Mean 3.5), understanding and using health information (Mean 3.6), and ability to actively interact with health professionals (Mean 3.8). Regarding limitations, there was low literacy in the skills of obtaining understanding and support from health professionals (Mean 2.9), obtaining sufficient information to take care of health (Mean 2.7), active health care (Mean 2.7), and ability to evaluate the information received (Mean 2.8). Regarding the ability to obtain social support, they presented average performance (Mean 3.0), not allowing us to conclude whether literacy is high or low in this item. Conclusion: knowledge of the factors that lead to low Health Literacy provides direct intervention on them, as well as strengthens the construction of therapeutic and unique relationships with health professionals. It is necessary to expand the use of health literacy in the practices of health teams, deriving new perspectives from studies with other realities and other health conditions.