Health Literacy and Self-Management of Asthma Among Adults in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, South South Nigeria

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition with rising prevalence in Nigerian urban centres, where air quality deterioration, indoor allergens, and limited specialist care challenge disease management. This study examines the relationship between health literacy and self-management practices among adults living with asthma in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State. A descriptive cross-sectional design is applied to 285 adults with confirmed asthma diagnoses, recruited from respiratory clinics and community settings across three local government areas through purposive sampling. The Newest Vital Sign tool is used to assess health literacy, while a self-management questionnaire covers inhaler technique, trigger avoidance, adherence to controller medications, and emergency action planning. SPSS is used for data analysis, with Pearson correlation and logistic regression examining associations between literacy level and self-management scores. Available studies indicate that low health literacy in sub-Saharan Africa is associated with poor asthma control, higher emergency department visits, and increased oral corticosteroid use. The Transactional Model of Stress and Coping provides the study's theoretical basis. Findings will guide Cross River State's health education unit in designing asthma self-management programmes tailored to low-literacy populations. Keywords: health literacy, asthma self-management, adults, Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State.