Relationship between health literacy and adherence to health care regimen and quality of life in older patients with osteoporosis in Zanjan

Abstract

Introduction: Health literacy is one of the most important issues in the quality of patients' health. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between health literacy and adherence to health care regimen and quality of life in elderly patients with osteoporosis in Zanjan. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study that was done in 3015. The statistical population included older people over 20 years old with osteoporosis who had health records in health centers. The sampling method in this study was classified. The research tools included four demographic questionnaires, health literacy questionnaire, diet adherence questionnaire and health related quality of life questionnaire. Data analysis was done by SPSS 38 software using descriptive and inferential tests. Results: The results showed that the most elderly were women, the highest level of education was elementary / reading and writing, and the highest level of marital status was married, the most frequent was the spine, the most frequent occupation was housewife, the highest income. Of the one to two million, the highest rates of concurrent disease were cardiovascular disease or a history of heart attack. Most of the elderly were treated with sodium alendronate and most of them were using calcium supplement. The majority also had satisfaction with treatment, order in drug treatment, and living support. Low percentages of loneliness at home and loneliness in the community. Meanwhile, most of the elderly lived with their spouses and children. Also, 2204 % had history of co-morbidity 4304 % had first degree family history, 3202% had vertebral fracture, 8304% had non-vertebral fracture, 2404% had single fracture and 3802% had double fracture. . The results also showed that there was a significant relationship between health literacy and adherence to diet. Conclusion: This study showed that the higher the health literacy of patients and the higher their understanding of medical factors, the higher their adherence to and adherence to medical and therapeutic strategies and the better the results achieved during treatment. By examining the factors that increase health literacy, more stability can be achieved in patients' adherence to treatment regimens.