The effects of Self-care, Self-efficacy, and Health Literacy on Health-related Quality of Life in Patients with Hypertension

Background: Hypertension is a chronic disease that can deteriorate patients' health-related quality of life (Hr-QoL). In this study, we aim to investigate the variables associated with Hr-QoL, including self-care, self-efficacy, and health literacy in patients with hypertension. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data on 427 randomely selected patients from March 2023 to March 2024 in community and private sectors were collected through interviews in different clinics affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. A linear regression model was used for multivariate data analysis. Results: The mean age of the participants in the study was 60.05± 11.06, and most (68.4%) were women. The mean total Hr-QoL, self-care, self-efficacy and health literacy scores were 62.47%±15.75, 87.14%±10.76, 68.69%±14.90, and 81.15% ± 17.19, respectively. Based on the linear regression model, every one score change in self-care total score, self-efficacy total score, and health literacy total score was associated with -0.471 (CI:-0.792 - -0.150), 0.306 (CI:0.140-0.473), and 0.283(CI:0.206-0.360) change in Hr-QoL total score, respectively. The model also demonstrated that having an occupation and good income was associated with 7.415 (CI:4.262-10.568) and 6.330 (CI:3.818-8.843) more Hr-QoL scores, respectively. Also, patients who did not have diabetes mellitus and renal disease had 3.407 (CI:0.802-6.012) and 4.071 (CI:1.109-7.032) more Hr-QoL scores, respectively—based on the model, health literacy (β=0.375) had the strongest effect on the Hr-QoL. Conclusion: In conclusion, self-care, self-efficacy, and health literacy can positively predict Hr-QoL in patients with hypertension. Moreover, health literacy is the strongest predictive factor of Hr-QoL in patients with hypertension.