Health literacy: assessment of pregnant women about self-care for pre-eclampsia based on Dorothea Orem's theory

Abstract

Objective: To assess the level of health literacy in pregnant women about self-care for pre-eclampsia. Methods: This is a field research with a qualitative, observational and cross-sectional study, carried out in a Basic Health Unit in Amazonas - AM. The study population consisted of women in the pregnancy period from 18 years old, with gestational age from the 20th week. In data collection, two questionnaires with open and closed semi-structured questions were applied. Results: It was observed that about 5% (n= 1) of the pregnant women had the unsatisfactory classification, when they are unable to read and interpret texts in the health area, 33% (n= 7) with a limited classification, when they have difficulty read and interpret texts from the health area and the majority, 62% (n= 13), with a satisfactory classification, when reading and interpreting most texts from the health area. Conclusion: The study points out that knowing the level of health literacy is a practice that allows knowing the real understanding of pregnant women about self-care, thus being able to prevent the onset of pre-eclampsia, because for Dorothea Orem, acting in self-care is recognizing responsibility in maintaining their own health.