Improving Medication Adherence Through a Health Literacy-based Intervention for Coronary Heart Disease Patients

Improving Medication Adherence Through a Health Literacy-based Intervention for Coronary Heart Disease Patients With Low Health Literacy

This is a multi-center pilot study to examine the effectiveness of a health literacy-based intervention to improve medication adherence and self-efficacy of medication use among individuals with coronary heart disease (CHD). The specific aims are to: i) develop a health literacy-based intervention to improve medication adherence for CHD individuals with low health literacy and ii) evaluate the effects of a health literacy-based intervention on improving medication adherence and self-efficacy in CHD individuals.

The project will be conducted in 2 phases. Phase 1 is to develop the health literacy-based intervention that consists of a video and an education booklet. Phase 2 is to conduct a pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. A total of 60 participants with low health literacy and diagnosed with CHD will be recruited in two settings. Data will be collected at baseline and 4-weeks after enrollment. The following data will be collected:

At baseline: Socio-demographic information (e.g. age, gender, education level, income, past medical history, social support), health literacy (eligibility screening at time of recruitment), CHD knowledge, medication adherence, and medication self-efficacy.

4-weeks after enrollment: medication self-efficacy and medication adherence.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged ≥18 years and diagnosed with CHD.
• Currently receiving pharmacological therapy such as statins, anti-platelet and/or blood thinner, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, nitroglycerin, and angiotensin- converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE).
• Low health literacy score of 9 or less as measured using the short-form Mandarin Health Literacy Scale (s-MHLS).

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of significant cognitive impairment, psychiatric disorders, and aphasia.
• Without access to a telephone or unable to give telephone contact.
• Currently enrolled in another program or clinical trial.