scholarly journals Levels and Determinants of Health Literacy in Bahrain’s Community Context

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. e195-e195
Author(s):  
G. V. Asokan ◽  
Mohamed Yaqoob Ali Yusuf ◽  
Richard Kirubakaran ◽  
Abdulaziz Mohamed Muqbel Albadwi ◽  
Ahmed Ebrahim Saad ◽  
...  

Objectives: We sought to assess health literacy (HL) and its associated factors in the Bahraini community using a validated HL scale and address its deficient domains to inform policy. Methods: We carried out a conveniently sampled, cross-sectional survey using the All Aspects of Health Literacy Scale in the Bahraini community. The scale has three key aspects: basic or functional HL (FUN-4 items), which corresponds to basic reading and writing skills, and knowledge of health conditions and health systems; communicative or interactive HL (COM-3 items) on communicative and social skills to extract information from different forms of communication; and critical HL (CR-4 items), the advanced cognitive and social skills to critically analyze information and exert greater control over life events and situations relating to individual and community level wellbeing goals. We examined the association between sociodemographic and health information for the survey tool items using the chi-square test. The relationship between total scale score and subscale scores of the three domains of the survey tool to sociodemographic and health information was investigated using the t-test and ANOVA. Results: Of the 836 participants (mean age = 26.6 years), single (64.0%) and university students (76.6%) were predominant; 15.6% reported long-term sickness and visited the general physician often. The highest mean item scores were for empowerment (1.8) and lowest for functional HL (0.1). The significant domain-specific responses to the survey tool items were 12 for critical HL, 10 for functional HL, six for communicative HL, and five for empowerment. Participants aged < 30 years old, female, married, pursuing/completed Master’s program, employed, and whose self-rating of health was excellent had higher total HL scores. Conclusions: Older, less educated respondents with a poor self-rating of health had low HL scores. We recommend further studies to address the relative importance of functional, interactive, and critical HL in the community to promote health outcomes.

2020 ◽  
pp. 140349482092642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Astrid K. Wahl ◽  
Åsmund Hermansen ◽  
Richard H. Osborne ◽  
Marie Hamilton Larsen

Objective: This study aimed to undertake a rigorous psychometric evaluation of the nine-scale Norwegian version of the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) based on data from a sample of people with psoriasis. Methods: Cross-sectional survey data were collected from 825 adults with psoriasis who previously participated in the Norwegian Climate Heliotherapy programme. To investigate the factorial validity of the Norwegian HLQ, confirmatory factor analyses were carried out using Stata. Results: A highly restricted model fit with no cross-loadings or correlated residuals was acceptable for three of the nine scales (‘Feeling understood and supported by health-care providers’, ‘Appraisal of health information’ and ‘Ability to find good health information’). After minor model adjustments of the other scales, one-factor models were acceptable. All scales showed acceptable internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha ranging from 0.71 to 0.87. Except for three items, all items had high to acceptable factor loadings. Conclusions: This study of the Norwegian HLQ replicates the original factor structure of the Australian HLQ, indicating the questionnaire has cogent and independent scales with good reliability. Researchers, programme implementers and policymakers could use the Norwegian version of the HLQ with confidence to generate reliable information on health literacy for different purposes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Jordan ◽  
OM Domanska ◽  
AK Loer

Abstract Background For developing effective interventions to promote health literacy in adolescence, differentiated data on the distribution of health literacy levels is required, but still lacking for this age group in many countries. The study aims to measure the distribution of generic health literacy (GHL) among adolescents addressing cognitive, behavioural, communicative and motivational dimensions of GHL. Methods We conducted a representative nationwide cross-sectional online survey among 14-17-year-olds living in Germany (n = 1,235). Data on GHL were collected from 09.2019-12.2019 using the “Measurement of Health Literacy Among Adolescents”-Questionnaire (MOHLAA-Q). It was specially developed for this age-group and consists of a total of 29 items in four subscales: A: “Difficulties in Dealing with Health-Related Information”, B: “Health-Related Communication Skills”, C: “Attitudes toward One's Own Health & Health Information” and D: “Health-Related Knowledge”. We also collected data on socio-demographic factors. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were carried out. Results About half of the 14-17-year-olds reported many (8.4%) or some difficulties (42.2%) in dealing with health information. We observed low communication-related skills in 28.1% of adolescents. Regarding the attitude towards their own health and health information, 56.8% of respondents had a rather “partly passive/partly active” attitude and 8.8% had a “passive” attitude. 22.7% of the adolescents had a low level of health-related knowledge. All socio-demographic factors apart from age showed significant differences in each of the scales: by family affluence in all scales, by gender and by educational level in 3 scales and by migration background in 1 scale. Conclusions The results indicate a need for promoting GHL among adolescents. The differences in the four scales suggest that all dimensions of GHL should be addressed, but also considering socio-demographic factors at the same time.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca M. Simpson ◽  
Emma Knowles ◽  
Alicia O’Cathain

Abstract Background A person’s health literacy determines whether they are able to make appropriate health decisions and are able to follow treatment instructions. This is important because low health literacy is associated with mortality and extra costs to the healthcare system. Our aim was to describe the health literacy levels of British adults using a nationally representative population survey, and show how health literacy levels vary by population characteristics. Methods A population based cross-sectional survey including questions from two domains from the Health Literacy Questionnaire™: 1) Understanding health information well enough to know what to do, and 2) Ability to actively engage with health care providers. Both domains are made up of 5 Likert style questions with 5 levels ranging from ‘cannot do or always difficult’ (1) to ‘always easy’ (5). The survey was conducted by NatCen in Britain (2018) as part of the annual British Social Attitudes survey. We used weighted descriptive analyses and regression to explore the relationship between population characteristics and health literacy. Weighted analyses were used to ensure the sample was representative of the British population. Results A total of 2309 responded to the questionnaire. The mean score for ‘understanding information’ was 3.98 (95% CI: 3.94, 4.02) and for ‘ability to engage’ was 3.83 (95% CI: 3.80, 3.87), where 5 is the highest score. 19.4% had some level of difficulty reading and understanding written health information, and 23.2% discussing health concerns with health care providers. The adjusted logistic regression for ‘understanding information’ showed that those with lower health literacy were more likely to be in the most socially deprived quintile (OR 2.500 95% CI: 1.180, 5.296), have a limiting health condition or disability (OR 4.326 95% CI: 2.494, 7.704), and have no educational qualifications (OR 7.588 95% CI: 3.305, 17.422). This was similar for the ‘ability to engage’ domain. Conclusions This study described the distribution of health literacy levels for the British population in 2018. Interventions to improve health literacy will best be targeted at those with lower levels of education, those living in the most deprived areas, and those with a limiting health condition or disability.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1si) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Kholik Kholik ◽  
Ni Ketut Alit Suarti ◽  
Eneng Garnika ◽  
Moch Taufik Hidayatullah

Introduction: The level of knowledge of college students about Coronavirus-19 (Covid19) will affect to precaution the spread of this disease. Students as intellectuals can be at the forefront of breaking the chain of the spread of Covid19. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the knowledge of Mandalika University of Science (UNDIKMA) college students about the spread of Covid19 and the level of anxiety and precaution the spread of Covid19. Method: This study used a cross-sectional survey with a questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to 38 of 325 UNDIKMA college students registered in PDDikti with the purposive sampling method. The modified questionnaire instrument from the WHO Survey Tool and Guidance was sent via email and Whatsapp from May to June 2020. Data on the level of college student’s knowledge about the spread of Covid19, anxiety and precautions the spread of Covid19 will be analyzed using the chi-square test. Result and Discussion: The level of college student’s knowledge with a high category about the spread of Covid19 was 52.6%, the level of college student’s anxiety with a high category was 57.9%, and the level of precaution the spread of Covid19 for college students with a good category was 55.3% from 38 students. The results of the bivariate analysis on the relationship between the level of college student’s knowledge about the spread of Covid19 and the level of anxiety were not significant with p> 0.05 (p-value = 0.064), the relationship between the level of college student’s knowledge about the spread of Covid19 and the precaution of the spread of Covid19 not significant with p> 0.05 (p-value = 0.064).Conclusion: The high level of college student’s knowledge of Mandalika University of Science (UNDIKMA) about the spread of Covid19 showed no a significant relationship with anxiety and precautions the spread Covid19 in West Nusa Tenggara at pandemic situation so learning models that can reduce anxiety and raise awareness to take precaution the spread of Covid19 are needed in a disease pandemic situation.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaomeng Niu ◽  
Bo Li ◽  
Jessica Willoughby ◽  
Ze Li ◽  
Rongting Zhou

BACKGROUND Empirical research has demonstrated that people frequently use social media for gathering and sharing online health information. Health literacy, social media use, and self-efficacy are important factors that may influence people’s health behaviors online. OBJECTIVE This study aims to examine the associations between health literacy, health-related social media use, self-efficacy and health behavioral intentions online. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional survey of Chinese adults aged 18 and above (N = 449) to examine predictors of health-related behavioral intentions online including health literacy, social media use, and self-efficacy. Hayes’ PROCESS macro was used to analyze the mediation and moderation models. RESULTS Two moderated mediation models were constructed. Self-efficacy mediated the effects of health literacy (Bindirect=0.213, 95% CI: 0.101 to 0.339) and social media use (Bindirect=0.023, 95% CI: 0.008 to 0.045) on health behavioral intentions on social media. Age moderated the effects of health literacy on self-efficacy (P=.029), while previous experience moderated the effects of social media use on self-efficacy (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS Health literacy and health-related social media use influenced health behavioral intentions on social media via their prior effects on self-efficacy. The association between health literacy and self-efficacy was stronger among younger respondents, whereas the association between health-related social media use and self-efficacy was stronger among those who previously had positive experiences with health information on social media. Health practitioners should target self-efficacy among older population and increase positive media experience related to health. CLINICALTRIAL


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Khajouei ◽  
Zahra Karbasi ◽  
Moghaddameh Mirzaee ◽  
Arefeh Ameri ◽  
Leila Ahmadian

Abstract Background The Internet plays an important role in attaining health related information and its importance is growing worldwide. The majority of Internet users are university students. However, their use of the Internet for health information has not been well studied. The objective of this study was to examine the use of the Internet by medical students to search for health information. Methods This cross-sectional survey was performed on a sample of 400 Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacology students selected from three faculties. The data were collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire designed based on the review of the published literature and advice of a panel of experts. Data were analyzed by SPSS 20 using Chi-square and Logistic regression.Results In this study 261 (65.2%) students used the Internet to search for health information. Most of them (n=175, 67%) somewhat trusted the reliability of information on the Internet. Women used the Internet to search for health information 1.74 times than men (p=0.016) and Medicine students 1.7 times than Pharmacology students (p=0.04). The majority of 20-30 years old students believed that using Internet had no effect on their visits to physicians(p=<0.0001). It reduced the number of visits in all students older than 30. Conclusions The content of online resources needs to be monitored in terms of its credibility for using by students especially those involved in health care domain. Based on our findings most students somewhat trusted the online health information. This is promising for the universities to plan for investment on online education and materials.


2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (15) ◽  
pp. 2680-2684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siew Lim ◽  
Alison Beauchamp ◽  
Sarity Dodson ◽  
Jonathan O’Hara ◽  
Crystal McPhee ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveAdequate fruit and vegetable intake is important in the prevention of chronic disease. Health literacy is associated with health outcomes but its role in dietary behaviour has received little attention. The present study investigated the association between a multidimensional measure of health literacy, sociodemographic characteristics, and fruit and vegetable intake in rural Australia.DesignA cross-sectional survey on intake of fruits and vegetables (servings/d), demographic characteristics and health literacy profile using a nine-scale Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ). Associations between health literacy and fruit and vegetable intake were assessed using logistic regression.SettingA large rural area of Victoria.SubjectsAdults residing in the Grampians region (n1154; 61 % female, mean age 52 (sd17) years).ResultsThe HLQ scale ‘Actively managing my health’ predicted (OR; 95 % CI) fruit (2·31; 1·87, 2·84) and vegetable (1·81; 1·45, 2·26) intake. The scales ‘Appraisal of health information’ (fruits: 1·73; 1·41, 2·13; vegetables: 1·49; 1·20, 1·86), ‘Social support for health’ (fruits: 1·31; 1·06, 1·63; vegetables: 1·40; 1·10, 1·76) and ‘Ability to find good health information’ (fruits: 1·25; 1·05, 1·48; vegetables: 1·36; CI 1·13, 1·63) also predicted fruit and vegetable intake. These associations remained significant after adjusting for age, gender, educational attainment and having private health insurance.ConclusionsHealth literacy, particularly being proactive, appraising information and having social support for health, is associated with greater fruit and vegetable intake. Future interventions should consider the health literacy needs of the community to improve fruit and vegetable intake.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juwita Moreen Toar

Literasi kesehatan memiliki peranan penting dalam pemberdayaan masyarakat Literasi kesehatan yang tinggi akan memampukan seseorang menggunakan informasi kesehatan yang tepat dalam meningkatkan atau mempertahankan kesehatannya khususnya pada penyakit Diabetes Melitus (DM). Berbagai studi juga menyatakan bahwa literasi kesehatan berhubungan erat dengan status kesehatan seseorang. Melihat dampak literasi kesehatan yang cukup besar maka perlu diketahui faktor-faktor apa saja yang berhubungan dengannya. Tujuan Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui tingkat literasi kesehatan pasien Diabetes Mellitus tipe 2 dan faktor-faktor yang berhubungan dengan tingkat literasi kesehatan tersebut. Metode Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kuantitatif dengan desain cross sectional. Subjek penelitian (N = 52) adalah peserta prolanis penderita Diabetes Mellitus tipe 2 yang berusia  ≥45  tahun. Pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui kuesioner dan lembar observasi. Teknik pengambilan sampel dilakukan secara purposive sampling. Analisis yang digunakan yaitu analisis chi-square. Hasil Hasil penelitian dengan menggunakan analisis chi-square menunjukkan bahwa ada hubungan antara usia dengan tingkat literasi kesehatan (p< 0,05) sedangkan factor lainnya seperti jenis kelamin, etnis, bahasa, tingkat pendidikan, status pekerjaan, penghasilan, akses pelayanan kesehatan serta akses informasi kesehatan tidak memiliki hubungan dengan literasi kesehatan. Kesimpulan Faktor yang berhubungan dengan tingkat literasi kesehatan seseorang adalah usia.Kata kunci : literasi kesehatan, diabetes mellitus, akses pelayanan kesehatan AbstractHealth literacy has an important role in community empowerment. High health literacy will enable a person to use appropriate health information in improving or maintaining their health, especially in Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Various studies have also stated that health literacy is closely related to a person's health status. Seeing the large impact of health literacy, it is necessary to know what factors are related to it. Aim The aim of this study was to determine the level of literasi kesehatanof patients with Diabetes Mellitus type 2 and the factors related to the level of health literacy. Method This research is a quantitative study with a cross sectional design. The research subjects (N = 52) were prolanis participants with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus who were ≥45 years old. Data collection was carried out through questionnaires and observation sheets. The sampling technique was carried out by purposive sampling. The analysis used is the chi-square analysis. Results The results of the study using the chi-square analysis showed that there was a relationship between age and the level of health literacy (p <0.05), while other factors such as gender, ethnicity, language, education level, employment status, income, access to health services and access health information has no relationship with health literacy. Conclusion A factor related to a person's health literacy is age.Keywords : health literacy, diabetes mellitus, health services access


2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Niethammer ◽  
Pishoy Gouda ◽  
Edina Moylett

Background: The Medical Council of Canada and most Canadian residency programs require international medical graduates seeking training in Canada to pass the Medical Council of Canada Entrance Examination, in addition to the newly established National Collaborative Assessment. In order to facilitate this additional examination, the Medical Council of Canada has altered the suggested examination timeline and examination eligibility criteria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was sent via an online survey tool to members of the North American Irish Medical Student Association. The survey aimed to elicit differences in the Medical Council of Canada Entrance Examination experience between two cohorts of Canadians studying abroad in Ireland: those who completed the examination before and after the new timeline. Statistical analysis was conducted with independent t-tests and Pearson’s Chi-Square tests using SPSS version 21. Results: Of 24 respondents, 13 had completed the examination after the timeline change. Participants who attended the examination prior to the change achieved higher results (353.8 ± 56.5) than participants who attended the examination after the change (342.3 ± 35.1), although not statistically significant (p=0.56). In the cohort who took the examination after the timeline change, 61.5% of participants expressed discontent with their examination results; 84.6% ‘strongly agreed’ or ‘agreed’ to feeling disadvantaged due to the change. Conclusion: The new Medical Council of Canada examination timeline has had an impact on the examination experience of Canadians studying in Ireland. Simple modifications to the current timeline are warranted to reduce unnecessary disadvantage for this cohort of students applying to postgraduate training in Canada.


Author(s):  
Mitja Vrdelja ◽  
Sanja Vrbovšek ◽  
Vito Klopčič ◽  
Kevin Dadaczynski ◽  
Orkan Okan

The entire world is faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, which is also accompanied by an infodemic. This refers to the rapid spread of (accurate and false) information, mainly through internet usage increasing. Digital health literacy (DHL) is therefore important for addressing challenges related to online health information and services, as well as for navigation through the complex information landscape with huge amounts of different (and conflicting) information about COVID-19. The aim of this study is to examine the level of DHL in relation to COVID-19 in Slovenian university students and to determine online information-seeking behaviour in order to plan and prepare effective communication interventions for this sub-population. A cross-sectional survey, administered by an online questionnaire, was conducted to collect data on DHL. A total of 3621 students participated, of whom 70% were female and the average age was 22.65 years (SD = 4.65). Bivariate analyses were performed to assess the association of key characteristics with DHL. Overall, the results show that the level of DHL among students is sufficient. Most difficulties were reported in assessing the reliability of information (n = 1484, 49.3%). Approximately one third of the students (n = 847, 27.9%) reported having problems in finding information of their interest, and somewhat more (n = 900, 29.6%) reported difficulties in making a selection among all the information found. Students with a sufficient level of DHL are more likely to seek information through search engines and websites of official institutions, while students with a limited level of DHL more frequently reported using social media for health information searches. It is necessary to establish interventions for a systematic lift of the DHL and health literacy (HL) of all population groups.


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