The Effects of Social Support and Health Literacy on Depression among Rural Patients with Hypertension

  Objective  To explore the effects of social support and health literacy on depression among hypertensive patients in rural areas and to provide reference for improving depression in hypertensive patients.

  Methods  A multi-stage stratified sampling method was used to select 549 hypertensive patients in a rural area of Chengdu city for a questionnaire survey. Structural equation model was used to analyze the effects of social support and health literacy on depression in hypertensive patients.

  Results  Social support (β=−0.116, 95%CI: (−0.198)-(−0.132)) and health literacy (β=−0.209, 95%CI: (−0.289)-(−0.132)) had a direct negative effect on depression, and social support had a direct positive effect on health literacy (β=0.146, 95%CI: 0.064-0.229). Health literacy was a mediator between social support and depression (β=−0.030, 95%CI: (−0.054)-(−0.013)). The gender, employment status and per capita annual income of the patients affected the incidence of depression (P<0.05).

  Conclusions  Social support and health literacy are important predictors of depression among hypertensive patients. We should construct a good social support network, strengthen the publicity of health knowledge, and improve social support and health literacy to alleviate the depression in hypertensive patients. At the same time, more attention should be paid to women, people with low per capita annual income and working hypertensive patients.