Thực trạng năng lực sức khỏe của người nhiễm HIV/AIDS ngoại trú tại Trung tâm Y tế Thành phố Thủ Đức, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh

The global burden of HIV/AIDS remains a significant public health challenge, with effective management heavily reliant on sustained antiretroviral (ARV) treatment and patient engagement. In Vietnam, a substantial number of individuals live with HIV, underscoring the critical need for comprehensive care. Health literacy, defined as the ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions, plays a pivotal role in treatment outcomes and overall well-being for people living with HIV/AIDS. Limited health literacy can lead to poor treatment adherence, insufficient disease knowledge, and suboptimal health behaviors. This study aims to describe the current health literacy status of outpatients living with HIV/AIDS at Thu Duc City Health Center, Ho Chi Minh City, and identify associated factors to inform targeted interventions and improve patient care and treatment adherence.

Healthcare professionals, public health practitioners, policymakers, and researchers involved in HIV/AIDS care and health promotion.

This research investigated the health literacy status among outpatients living with HIV/AIDS receiving antiretroviral (ARV) treatment, with a specific focus on Thu Duc City Health Center, Ho Chi Minh City. Utilizing a cross-sectional study design, data was collected from 400 patients in 2025. The methodology involved assessing overall health literacy using a standardized scoring system and examining its correlation with various demographic, socioeconomic, and health behavior factors. Key findings revealed a generally limited health literacy status among the study population, with an average overall health literacy score of 19.24 ± 5.34. A concerning 85.7% of patients demonstrated limited overall health literacy, and 63.5% were categorized as having insufficient health literacy. The study identified several factors significantly associated with overall health literacy. These include education level, occupation, weight gain post-ARV treatment, participation in peer/social support groups, engagement in physical exercise and sports activities, consumption of medical television programs, seeking health information via the internet, ability to afford essential medical services, presence of HIV/AIDS co-infection, and critically, treatment adherence to ARV. These findings underscore that a multifaceted approach is required to enhance health literacy among this vulnerable population. The implications suggest that interventions should target improving educational levels, promoting healthier lifestyles, facilitating access to reliable health information, and strengthening social support networks. By addressing these specific factors, healthcare providers can better empower patients to manage their condition effectively, improve their treatment adherence, and ultimately enhance their quality of life.