The Impact of Health Literacy and Religiosity on Attitudes Towards Physician-Assisted Death

Abstract The aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between functional health literacy and religiosity regarding attitudes towards physician-assisted death (PAD). Of participants, the majority were female (62.6%) and non-Hispanic White (79.6%), and ages ranged from 19 to 83 (M = 37.81, SD = 12.55). As measured by the Newest Vital Sign, 82.6% (n = 219) of individuals within the current sample had adequate functional health literacy, while 10.6% (n = 28) scored within the “possibly limited” range, and 6.8% (n = 18) scored within the “highly limited” range. There was a positive association between religiosity and age (r = .21, p < .001), and older participants were more likely to endorse religious beliefs and/or activities. There was a significant association between greater acceptance of attitudes towards PAD and functional health literacy (r = .17, p < .01), indicating that those with higher health literacy have more positive attitudes towards PAD. There was no significant association between attitudes towards PAD and age (r = -.02, p > .05) or education (r = -.05, p > .05). Similarly, attitudes did not differ by gender (t (256) = -.66, p > .05) or by race/ethnicity, (F(5, 253) = .73, p > .05). Of note, functional health literacy may be particularly important to monitor in this context, as several studies (i.e., Kobayashi et al., 2015) have shown that health literacy may decrease with mild cognitive impairment and may therefore provide important information regarding older adults with this condition.

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The Relationship between Functional Health Literacy, Self-Rated Health, and Social Support between Younger and Older Adults in Ghana

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16173188 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (17) ◽

pp. 3188 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Padmore Amoah

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Young Adults ◽

Health Status ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Emotional Support ◽

Functional Health ◽

Functional Health Literacy ◽

Self Rated Health ◽

The Impact

It is well established that health literacy positively affects health outcomes, and social support influences this association. What remains unclear is which aspect of social support (instrumental, informational, and emotional support) is responsible for this effect and whether the influence differs from one population group to another. This study addresses these lacunae. It examines the impact each type of support makes on the relation between functional health literacy (FHL) and self-rated health status among younger and older adults in Ghana. Data were pooled from two cross-sectional surveys, together comprising 521 participants in the Ashanti Region. The results indicated that young adults were more likely to possess sufficient FHL and perceive their health more positively than older adults. While FHL was positively associated with health status, the relation was stronger when young adults received a high level of emotional support. Among older persons, informational support substantially moderated the association between FHL and health status. Thus, social support modifies the relations between FHL and health status among younger and older adults in different ways and to different degrees. Therefore, interventions to improve FHL and health amongst younger and older adults should pay due regard to relevant aspects of social support.

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The Impact of Functional Health Literacy and Acculturation on the Oral Health Status of Somali Refugees Living in Massachusetts

American Journal of Public Health ◽

10.2105/ajph.2012.300885 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 103 (8) ◽

pp. 1516-1523 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Paul L. Geltman ◽

Jo Hunter Adams ◽

Jennifer Cochran ◽

Gheorghe Doros ◽

Denis Rybin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Status ◽

Oral Health ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Oral Health Status ◽

Functional Health ◽

Functional Health Literacy ◽

Somali Refugees ◽

The Impact

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Effects of an eHealth Intervention on Patient-Provider Interaction and Functional Health Literacy in Adults With Hypertension

SAGE Open Nursing ◽

10.1177/23779608211005863 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. 237796082110058

Author(s):

Ronald L. Hickman ◽

John M. Clochesy ◽

Marym Alaamri

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Attention Control ◽

Functional Health ◽

Self Management ◽

Functional Health Literacy ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Management Interventions ◽

Modifiable Factors

Introduction Hypertension is a life-limiting, chronic condition affecting millions of Americans. Modifiable factors, quality of the patient-provider interaction and functional health literacy, have been linked to effective hypertension self-management. However, there has been limited interventional research targeting these modifiable factors. Electronic hypertension self-management interventions, in particular those incorporating virtual simulation, may positively influence the quality of the patient-provider interaction and functional health literacy status of adults with hypertension. Yet there is a dearth of evidence examining the efficacy of eHealth interventions targeting these modifiable factors of hypertension self-management. Objective Evaluate the effects of two electronic hypertension self-management interventions on the quality of the patient-provider interaction and functional health literacy in adults with hypertension. Methods A convenience sample of community-dwelling adults (>18 years) with hypertension were recruited and randomized to an avatar-based simulation (eSMART-HTN) or a video presentation on hypertension self-management (attention control). Participants were administered questionnaires to capture demographic characteristics, the quality of the patient-provider interaction, and functional health literacy. Questionnaire data were collected at baseline, and then monthly across three months. Two separate repeated measures analysis of covariance models were conducted to assess the effects of the interventions across the time points. Results The sample included 109 participants who were predominately middle-aged and older, nonwhite, and female. Scores for the quality of the patient-provider interaction demonstrated significant within-group changes across time. However, there were no significant differences in the quality of the patient-provider interaction or functional health literacy scores between experimental conditions while adjusting for covariates. Conclusion An avatar-based simulation (eSMART-HTN) intervention proved to have a positive effect on patient-provider interaction compared to an attention control condition. Although the results are promising, future research is needed to optimize the effectiveness of eSMART-HTN and enhance its efficacy and scalability in a larger cohort of adults with hypertension.

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Health Literacy of Parents and Carers in a Regional Community: A Cross-Sectional Study

International Quarterly of Community Health Education ◽

10.1177/0272684x211022572 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 0272684X2110225

Author(s):

Matthew J. Leach ◽

Sue Nichols ◽

Sven Trenholm ◽

Martin Jones

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Primary School ◽

Tertiary Education ◽

Functional Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Healthy Development ◽

School Aged Children ◽

Australian Community ◽

Literacy Scores ◽

The Impact

Background Supporting a child’s healthy development is determined, in part, by a parent’s ability to seek, access, interpret and effectively utilize health information. This aspect of parenting draws on a set of skills referred to as health literacy. Objective To assess the level of health literacy among parents/carers in a regional South Australian community. Methods Parents/carers of primary school-aged children, residing in Whyalla, South Australia, were invited to complete the 13-item All Aspects of Health Literacy Survey. Results 155 parents/carers completed the survey (79% mothers). Most participants were English-speaking (97%), employed (62%) and had 2–3 children (62%), with 52% completing tertiary education. Median total health literacy scores were mostly in the moderate-high range (median 27, IQR 26,27), as were critical health literacy scores (median 7, IQR 6,8). Higher scores were reported for functional health literacy (median 8, IQR 7,9), communicative health literacy (median 9, IQR 8,9) and empowerment health literacy (median 4, IQR 3,5). Conclusions Our findings reveal modest levels of health literacy among a sample of parents/carers of primary school-aged children in a regional South Australian community. Further work is needed to understand the differential effect of parental health literacy on child health outcomes, and the types of strategies that may mitigate the impact of these barriers on a child’s healthy development.

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HEALTH LITERACY OF INDIVIDUALS UNDERGOING DIALYSIS THERAPY

Texto & Contexto - Enfermagem ◽

10.1590/1980-265x-tce-2017-0418 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 ◽

Author(s):

Jéssica Naylla de Melo Bezerra ◽

Sara Rebeca de Oliveira Lessa ◽

Marcelo Francisco do Ó ◽

Givaneide Oliveira de Andrade Luz ◽

Anna Karla de Oliveira Tito Borba

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Functional Health ◽

P Value ◽

Functional Health Literacy ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Exact Test ◽

Independent Variables ◽

Adequate Health Literacy

ABSTRACT Objective: to assess the functional levels of health literacy in individuals undergoing dialysis. Method: a cross-sectional study with 42 patients of the Nephrology Unit of a public hospital in Recife, Brazil, from May to August 2016. Data were collected through scripted interviews and chart analysis. Functional health literacy was measured using the Brazilian version of the Short-Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS®) software, version 18.0, with a univariate analysis to verify the association between independent variables and functional health literacy levels using Fisher's exact test. Results: 80.9% of the patients presented inadequate health literacy and 19.1% presented adequate health literacy. The number of correct answers remained between 0-18 in the reading comprehension and in the scheduling appointment card. Among the independent variables, only marital status (p-value=0.018) and personal income (p-value=0.009) were factors associated with the worst scores in the test, indicating that these variables influence the increase in inadequate literacy. Conclusion: the prevalence of inadequate functional literacy was high, reflecting difficulties in understanding and processing health information, which may interfere with therapeutic management and self-care.

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Validation of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults in a Danish population

Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences ◽

10.1111/scs.12186 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 573-581 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Lisa Korsbakke Emtekaer Haesum ◽

Lars Ehlers ◽

Ole K. Hejlesen

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Functional Health ◽

Functional Health Literacy ◽

Danish Population

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Functional health literacy can affect patient perception for the need for liver imaging for HCC screening

Journal of Hepatology ◽

10.1016/s0168-8278(17)31273-4 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 66 (1) ◽

pp. S448-S449

Author(s):

J. Shaw ◽

K. Patidar ◽

N. Dharel ◽

C. Driscoll ◽

D. Heuman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Patient Perception ◽

Functional Health ◽

Liver Imaging ◽

Functional Health Literacy

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Interaction between functional health literacy and telehomecare: Short-term effects from a randomized trial

Nursing and Health Sciences ◽

10.1111/nhs.12272 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 328-333 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Lisa Korsbakke Emtekaer Haesum ◽

Lars Ehlers ◽

Ole K. Hejlesen

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Randomized Trial ◽

Functional Health ◽

Functional Health Literacy ◽

Short Term ◽

Short Term Effects

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Differential Item Functioning Related to Age in the Reading Subtest of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults

Journal of Aging Research ◽

10.1155/2013/654589 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Raymond L. Ownby ◽

Drenna Waldrop-Valverde

Keyword(s):

Reading Comprehension ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Differential Item Functioning ◽

Older Persons ◽

The Elderly ◽

Functional Health ◽

Functional Health Literacy ◽

Response Format ◽

Age Related ◽

Item Functioning

Differential item functioning (DIF) occurs when items in a measure perform in ways that are different for members of a target group when the different performance is not related to the individual’s overall ability to be assessed. DIF may arise for a number of reasons but is often evaluated in order to ensure that tests and measures are fair evaluations of a group’s abilities. Based on observations when administering the test, we developed the hypothesis that some items on the reading comprehension subtest of the Test of Functional Health Literacy (TOFHLA) might be differentially more difficult for older adults and the elderly due to its use of the cloze response format, in which the participant is required to determine what word, when placed in a blank space in a sentence, will ensure that the sentence is intelligible. Others have suggested that the cloze response format may make demands on verbal fluency, an ability that is reduced with the increasing age. Our analyses show that age-related DIF may present in a nearly one-half of reading comprehension items of the TOFHLA. Results of this measure in older persons should be interpreted cautiously.

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