Interventions to improve health literacy
hypertension, ’
UNCONTROLLED HYPERTENSION, HYPERTENSION, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
After preparing the application, the educational intervention was conducted in areas of health literacy, spanning across four sessions. Patients were also instructed to utilize the application at home. One effective approach to enhance health literacy in the domain of reading is to utilize plain language and avoid technical jargon when communicating health information to patients. In this regard, we employed physiological and anatomical terminologies, along with synonyms, definitions, and related pictures where applicable. Examples of such words include cardiovascular disease, hypertension, uncontrolled hypertension, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, etc. We used these terminologies in certain scenarios, emergencies, and medical situations and asked patients to discuss and converse about them.As visual representations can help clarify information and make it more accessible, we also provided visual materials such as diagrams, illustrations, and charts to enhance understanding. We also made efforts to engage patients in interactive activities, discussions, and role-plays to actively involve them in the learning process. This hands-on approach can enhance comprehension and retention of health information.To improve patients’ understanding and consequently decision-making, we provided clear and accessible health information about hypertension and its management. We invited their families to create a supportive and non-judgmental environment where individuals feel comfortable asking questions and seeking additional information, which can promote active involvement in decision-making. Additionally, we utilized M-health as a shared decision-making tool by checking patients’ assignments completed in M-health during each session. If any issues were identified, we provided feedback and resolved them to improve patients’ adherence to medication.