Health literacy in patients with intermittent claudication in relation to clinical characteristics, demographics, self-efficacy and quality of life – A cross-sectional study

Background: Intermittent claudication requires treatment with secondary prevention to reduce disease progression and the risk of cardiovascular events and to improve quality of life. Health literacy and self-efficacy are important preconditions for the health behaviour changes necessary for adhering to secondary prevention. Aim: Evaluate health literacy in patients with intermittent claudication regarding clinical characteristics, demographics, self-efficacy and quality of life. Methods: A cross-sectional study evaluating health literacy, self-efficacy and quality of life using questionnaires. Patients with intermittent claudication from vascular units in the south of Sweden were included. Results: In total, 158 patients were included, of which, 52.5% reported “inadequate” (0-8 points) or “problematic” (9-12 points) health literacy with no differences between men and women. A significant higher proportion of patients living alone reported “inadequate” or “problematic” health literacy than “sufficient” (13-16 points) health literacy. Patients with “sufficient” health literacy reported significantly higher self-efficacy and quality of life and were more physically active than patients with “inadequate” or “problematic” health literacy. Also, patients with a university degree reported a significantly higher ability to “access” (seek, find and obtain) and “understand” (comprehend the accessed) information relevant to health. Conclusion: The majority of patients with intermittent claudication have “inadequate” or “problematic” health literacy. Also, an “inadequate” or “problematic” health literacy level is more common among patients living alone, and education level appears to be more important when “accessing” and “understanding” information relevant to health. This illuminates the importance of not only the patients’ health literacy but also demographics when planning for secondary prevention.