Health Literacy in Multiple Sclerosis patients: A Concept Analysis Using the Evolutionary Method

Introduction:Health literacy is one of the effective factors in health promotion of chronic
patients. However, little attention has been paid to it; no exact and clear definition of health
literacy has ever been accessible in chronic diseases. This study was conducted with aim of
defining and clarifying attributes, antecedents, and consequences of health literacy in multiple
sclerosis (MS) patients.
Methods: Rodgers’ evolutionary method of concept analysis was used to clarify the concept
of health literacy in MS patients. A literature review was conducted with key terms “multiple
sclerosis”, “health literacy”, “information literacy”, “functional health”, “health education”,
“health promotion” and “health behavior”. Eight hundred and sixty papers for the period 1980–
2019 were found and finally 23 articles and texts were selected for the analysis. Data analysis
was carried out using a thematic analysis.
Results: Health literacy in MS patients is a multidimensional concept with forth attributes: health
information evaluation, understand disease and its related issues, reading skills and capacity
to use knowledge. Ability to read and comprehend, interacting with health personnel, and
interacting with peers as an antecedents and improved self-care, health promotion, medication
adherence, and decreased use of health care services to be the consequences of these attributes
were found.
Conclusion: The findings can add knowledge about the concept of health literacy in MS
patients. Also, health care professionals can use a deeper understanding of the concept of
health literacy in providing care plan for MS patients.