How Nurses' Interventions Promote Health Literacy in Patients With Non-Communicable Diseases: A Systematic Review

More than one-third of all diseases in the world are non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and poorer health outcomes are linked to low health literacy (HL), in which nurses have a significant role to play. Various studies have confirmed that there is an association between HL and NCDs. However, less is known about how nurses can intervene in the development of HL in patients with NCDs. This systematic review was carried out to explore, in a comprehensive way, nursing interventions that could promote HL in patients with NCDs.

A systematic review (PROSPERO registration number: CRD370625) was carried out on five databases (PubMed MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect and JSTOR). Sequences that provided information for our study topic were retrieved and analysed following PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews.

In total, 1915 titles and abstracts were screened, 71 articles were assessed in full-text screening and 25 studies were included in the review. Around 23 different nurse-led intervention strategies were identified, but only 11 major ones were explored in detail. The majority of them prioritised communication (teach-back), self-management programs, counselling and education. In the majority of the trials, a significant positive outcome was discovered. Both nurses and patients needed to devote time and attention to the complex nurse-led HL interventions.

Nurses' HL interventions have shown promise in promoting HL and other health outcomes in people with NCDs, but they need to be tailored to fit specific patients. Nursing programs should include more than just patient teaching strategies.

Nurses' HL efforts hold potential for enhancing HL in NCD patients, provided they are customised to individual needs.