Development of Health Literacy Assessment Tool for Hypertensive Patients in Pakistan having understanding of the Urdu Language

Abstract

Background: Health literacy is a critical aspect of healthcare, particularly for people with chronic conditions such as hypertension. Low health literacy levels may result in poor health outcomes, burden over health system, and poor living standards. To address this issue, it is essential to create and validate health literacy assessment tools that are culturally and linguistically appropriate for diverse populations.

Introduction: In Urdu-speaking communities, there is a need for accurate health literacy assessment tools that can measure health literacy and develop effective patient education interventions for individuals with hypertension. Urdu is widely spoken in Pakistan, India, and other parts of the world, and many healthcare providers use Urdu as a common language to communicate with patients. However, there is currently a lack of validated health literacy assessment tools in Urdu that are specific to patients with hypertension, which can hinder efforts to improve health outcomes in these populations. To address this need, a Health Literacy Assessment Tool was developed in Urdu specifically for patients with hypertension to determine their health-related behavior.

Methodology and Results: A health literacy tool was developed specifically for patients with hypertension. Patients were assessed for visual, listening, and reading ability, with content specifically related to hypertension. The tool was created in consultation with researchers and healthcare providers, and its construct validity was determined based on patients' education levels and their ability to understand visual and verbal information related to health literacy. The tool's reliability was determined using Cronbach's alpha, which was 0.86(>0.7), indicating high validity. Conclusion: The Health Literacy Assessment Tool is a specific tool for determining the health literacy of patients with hypertension who can understand Urdu language. By promoting health literacy, individuals with hypertension can make informed decisions about their health and well-being, which can ultimately improve the overall health of communities.