Health literacy, self-management, and patient empowerment in hemodialysis patients: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Hemodialysis requires patients to maintain complex and lifelong self-care behaviors. Health literacy, self-management, and patient empowerment are key components of effective care, yet their combined roles in hemodialysis populations remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate these constructs and examine their interrelationships in patients receiving hemodialysis.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 219 patients from three dialysis centers between January and May 2024. Data were collected using validated scales assessing health literacy, self-management, and patient empowerment. Analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multivariable linear regression.

RESULTS

Participants had above-midpoint mean scores for health literacy, self-management, and patient empowerment. Health literacy was positively associated with patient empowerment and health maintenance efficacy, and negatively associated with self-stigmatization. Age was negatively associated with health literacy, whereas higher education was positively associated with both health literacy and patient empowerment. No significant predictors were identified for self-management.

CONCLUSIONS

Health literacy, self-management, and patient empowerment are interrelated in patients receiving hemodialysis. Health literacy showed consistent associations with patient empowerment and selected aspects of self-management, whereas self-management was not explained by sociodemographic or clinical variables, suggesting the influence of behavioral and psychosocial factors.