The relationship of health literacy and illness perception in patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Iran

Objective: The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between health literacy and illness perception in patients with Multiple Sclerosis.Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study. A total number of ۱۰۰ patients with multiple sclerosis referred to the clinic and neurology departments of Booali Sina were included using the convenience sampling method in ۲۰۱۷-۲۰۱۸. Data were collected by the Newest Vital Sign health literacy questionnaire (NVS) and the brief illness perception questionnaire (BIPQ). Data were analyzed by the SPSS software version ۲۲ using the descriptive/analytical statistics.Results: There was a significant relationship between perception and recognition of present illness, as a subscale of illness perception, with health literacy (P<۰.۰۵). the stepwise linear regression model showed that the duration of illness had a significant effect on their health literacy (P<۰.۰۵).Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, There was a significant relationship between perception and recognition of present illness, as a subscale of illness perception, with health literacy it is necessary to be done further research on the relationship between health literacy and illness perception among patients with MS.