The influence of nurses on increasing health literacy

Abstract

Health literacy is the ability of an individual to find,
understand, and use health information to make health
decisions. The level of health literacy among Croatian
citizens is, on average, on the borderline between
problematic and adequate, with the greatest difficulties
relating to finding, understanding, and using health information. The importance of health literacy in achieving optimal health is very significant, especially in the nursing profession. Low health literacy can lead to unequal access to health care and poor-quality care. High health literacy improves healthy lifestyle behaviours and increases an individual’s ability to better manage their illness. The impact of health literacy is broad, encompassing  the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of nursing practice. Nurses have an educational role in helping patients understand the value of practicing good health habits and in promoting health literacy. Nurses must understand their patients’ beliefs and cultural norms. Information should be provided or repeated in a culturally appropriate manner for the patient. Nurses can contribute to improving health literacy if they acquire sufficient knowledge during their education and continuing professional development and are able to apply that knowledge and those skills in practice.