Proper health self-check is possible in motivated patients with high medical literacy. Scientific research indicates the difficulties of forming the necessary level of medical literacy in patients with chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which is especially noticeable in rural residents and people over working age.

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a cycle of hygienic training activities for 12 months for rural residents of the Moscow region over 65 years of age with a history of chronic non-communicable diseases, followed by an assessment of changes in their level of medical literacy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A 12-month cycle of hygienic training activities was developed and conducted for rural residents of the Moscow region over the working age with a history of NCDs. To assess the level of medical literacy of the population, a survey was conducted before and after the cycle using the HLS19-Q-RU-Russian questionnaire.

RESULTS

After the cycle of hygiene training activities, the number of rural residents over 65 with an «excellent» level of medical literacy increased by 2.8% and «sufficient» by 7.7%; the percentage of people with a «problematic» level of medical literacy was reduced by 3.5% and an «insufficient» by 7.0%.

CONCLUSION

The organization of hygienic training activities in rural areas should be systematic and cyclical, thus improving the population’s medical literacy level. This is an important step for further implementing therapeutic and preventive measures in patients older than 65 with chronic non-communicable diseases.