Health literacy, depression and self care in military veterans with Hepatitis C

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study: Health literacy refers to a person's cognitive and behavioral ability to utilize health-related information toward the promotion and maintenance of health. This study explored the functional health literacy, experience of depression, and experience of self-care in military veterans diagnosed with Hepatitis C (HCV) at a southwest Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC). Method: Functional health literacy, experience of depression, and experience of self-care of 30 military veterans were assessed via responses to the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults, the Beck Depression Inventory - Fast Screen, a Self Care assessment, and questions regarding supplemental information provided by either psychoeducational interventions facilitated by the VAMC and/or non-VAMC related means (i.e., media, public literature, etc.).

Findings and Conclusions: Results: Nonparametric analyses were used to address questions regarding the relationship between health literacy and depression; and, health literacy and self-care. No statistically significant associations were found between health literacy and depression or health literacy and self-care. Descriptive observations were made regarding a subgroup of 13 study participants who completed self-report instruments only at the time of their initial HCV diagnosis and a subgroup of 17 participants who completed the self-report instruments both at the time of their initial HCV diagnosis and three months post diagnosis. Further, observations were made regarding education-seeking behavior, knowledge of viral count, and response to VAMC-based psychoeducational interventions. Implications: While there were no statistically significant findings in this study, future replication may afford more meaningful analyses with a larger sample size. It is encouraged that future replications of this study should include a larger, more representative population of veterans diagnosed with HCV. Further, motivators for education-seeking behaviors should be assessed along with possible effects of substance use on depression management among this population.