Factors related to health literacy of recurrent stroke prevention among older adult stroke survivors

Abstract

Purpose This correlational study conducted at Ban Phaeo Hospital, Thailand, aimed to assess the health literacy levels of 105 older adult stroke survivors from November 2021 to February 2022. Design/methodology/approach The study uncovered a moderate level of health literacy among participants, as indicated by a mean score of 66.85 (SD = 8.151). Findings Significant positive correlations were observed between health literacy and several key factors, including patient-provider relationships (r = 0.550, p < 0.001), social support (r = 0.548, p < 0.001) and perceived health status (r = 0.484, p < 0.001). These findings emphasize the interconnectedness of health literacy with critical elements of healthcare engagement and well-being. Research limitations/implications To advance stroke prevention in the older adult population, future research should focus on evaluating nurse-led interventions designed to enhance health literacy. Social implications Raising awareness about the influence of patient-provider relationships, social support networks and perceived health status represents the initial stride toward a successful strategy for elevating health literacy and preventing recurrent strokes in this demographic. Originality/value This work is entirely original, all authors listed contributed to the project and have approved the final draft for submission. This work of art has not been published or is under consideration elsewhere. This study addresses the crucial gap in the literature by uncovering moderate health literacy levels among older adult stroke survivors. It delves into the intricacies of health literacy in this population, establishing correlations with patient-provider relationships, social support and perceived health status. The study emphasizes the critical role of health literacy in healthcare engagement and well-being, advocating for nurse-led interventions to enhance health literacy and prevent recurrent strokes in older adults.