ABSTRACT
Introduction: Complications due to lack of awareness are one of the most important factors in re-hospitalization of these patients. This study conducted to determine effect of small group intervention program on knowledge and health literacy among patients with heart failure
Method: This randomized clinical trial carried out on 150 patients with heart failure hospitalized at hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. After obtaining informed consent, subjects randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Before the study, demographic, health literacy, and knowledge questionnaires were completed by the participants. The control group received routine care; while, in the intervention group training were conducted in small groups, in addition to the manual about disease and self-care that created by the research team. Finally after 6 months questionnaires were completed by two groups and the data were analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive and inferential statistics
Results: Mean and standard deviation of knowledge and health literacy in the control group were 1.78 +/- 0.87 and 1.77 +/- 0.83 and in the intervention group they were 2.48 +/- 0.68 and 2.53 +/- 0.72, respectively. Covariance analysis also showed significant differences in the level of knowledge and health literacy scores of patients in the intervention group compared to the control group [P=0.01]
Conclusion: Improving knowledge and health literacy using small group education method is recommended in the care plane of patients in the hospitals and rehabilitation centers