Factors Affecting Health Behavior of Patients with Stroke: Focusing on Health Literacy of Patients and Family Caregivers

Purpose: This study aimed to identify how health literacy in patients with stroke and their family caregivers influences their health behavior. Methods: A total of 95 patient-family caregiver dyads were recruited from March to September 2018. Health literacy was measured using the newest vital sign and the health behavior scale was used to identify the health behavior of patients. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression. Results: The mean age of patients with stroke and family caregivers was 69.44±8.25 and 54.01±14.42 years, respectively. The proportion of women in the family caregivers was 72.6%. The average health literacy score of patients with stroke and their family caregivers was 2.26±1.75 and 3.03±1.97, respectively. The multiple regression analysis revealed that patients’ interest in health (p <.001), health literacy (p=.037), age (p=.001), and caregivers’ gender (p=.028) were the significant factors influencing health behavior of patients with stroke. Conclusion: In providing optimal care, nurses must ensure that information is provided to both patients and their family caregivers in a clear and effective manner. To improve health behavior in patients with stroke, various strategies are needed to increase their interest in health while considering their age and health literacy.