Alfabetismo funcional em saúde e controle da hipertensão arterial em idosos

Abstract

Introduction: Functional Health Literacy (FHL) is related to the ability to access, understand and appropriately use health-related information. In this dissertation, we have 2 products with aims: 1- to assess whether FHL has a role in blood pressure (BP) control in hypertensive older adults (HOA), 2 - develop a primer on AFS directed to PHC health professionals. Method: This study had a cross-sectional design, and collected data in all primary health care (PHC) units in the city of Gama (Federal District, Brazil) during 2017. We calculated the sample as 392 (bilateral alternative hypothesis, α error of 5%, 80% power, Cohen d = 0.3; plus 10% due to possible losses). We collected sociodemographic and clinical data, measured BP, and assessed FHL (18-item Short Assessment of Health Literacy for Portuguese-Speaking Adults (SAHLPA-18) tool). We used a hierarchical logistic regression model, the dependent variable was inadequate BP control, the primary independent variable was inadequate FHL (SAHLPA-18 ≤ 14 points), and the sociodemographic and clinical data were finally used as covariables. Already for the development of the booklet on AFS for health professionals, we follow the recommendations of the national and international literature. Results: we included 392 HOA in this study. BP presented Inadequate control in 41.6% of the sample, and FHL were inadequate in 54.6%. The regression model showed that inadequate FHL was independently associated with inadequate BP control. About the AFS booklet for health professionals, we have been able to develop it satisfactorily and will be made available in the PHC units of the GAMA for health professionals. Conclusion: inadequate FHL is independently associated with inadequate BP control in HOA treated in PHC. Thus, PHC health professionals should include FHL in the treatment of HOA. We believe that the booklet will clarify the health professionals about the importance of AFS, facilitating the incorporation of this element in their daily practice of health care.