Critical Health Literacy and Doctor-Patient Communication: Highlighting the Role of Patients’ Support Networks in Chronic Conditions

Abstract

Health literacy is a set of individual skills that allow a person to gain and utilize new health information. It incorporates the ability to understand health information from pamphlets, obtain applicable health information during an interview with health experts, and to access and assess health information from other platforms. Patients with inadequate critical health literacy have a poorer understanding of their disease progression, medication regimens, and techniques for dealing with their disease. This study was carried out to establish the influence of critical health literacy in doctor-patient communication among HIV/AIDS patients in Homa Bay county, Kenya. The results showed that 51% of the 362 participants involved in the study were females, and the majority (30.9%) of respondents fell in the age group of 45 years and above. The level of critical health literacy among the study participants was adequate at a mean of 3.515 and Standard Deviation (SD) of 1.186. Critical Functional health literacy also had a significant positive influence on doctor patient communication among the study participants (Nagelkerke R square= 0.318). Critical health literacy is acquired mainly through empowerment-based capabilities, where members become enlightened on issues, take part in important dialogue, and take an interest in decision making for the sake of their health. Therefore, encouraging people living with HIV/AIDS to form or join existing networks and support groups is highly recommended. This will create more avenue for patients, acting as an individual or in a group to improve health.