Health literacy profiles of adults with multiple chronic diseases: A cross‐sectional study using the Health Literacy Questionnaire

Abstract Background: Low health literacy is associated with poor health status, poor self-management, and poor use of healthcare. This study assessed the associations of caregivers’ health literacy, incidence of malaria in children, use of healthcare and associated household costs in the management of malaria in children under five years.Method: This is a cross-sectional study with data (N=1270) collected in November - December 2017. We used hierarchical cluster analysis to generate health literacy profiles of caregivers based on responses to the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ). We run logistic regression models and generalized linear models with incidence of malaria, desirable use of healthcare and household costs as dependent variables, and health literacy profiles and other socio-demographic and access variables as covariates. Results: We generated 7 caregiver health literacy profiles with Profile 1 characterised by overall high scores, Profile 4 by overall moderate scores and Profile 7 by overall low scores on nine health literacy dimensions. With Profile 4 as reference, children of caregivers in Profile 7 had 69% increased odds of an incident of malaria and no difference in odds for those of Profile 1. Profiles 1 and 7 both had reduced odds of desirable use of healthcare, 26% and 58% respectively. Caregivers in Profile 1 incurred higher spending, while caregivers in Profile 7 incurred lower spending on management of malaria in children as compared to Profile 4. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that general health literacy of caregivers as measured by the HLQ may not be influential in incidence of malaria, desirable use of healthcare and household costs in the management of malaria in children under five years in Ghana where malaria is highly prevalent. The use of hierarchical cluster analysis was feasible in the analysis of comprehensive health literacy and facilitated analysis on use of healthcare and associated costs.

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The Association Between e-Health Literacy and Willingness to Deprescribe Among Patients with Chronic Diseases: A Cross-Sectional Study from Jordan

Telemedicine Journal and e-Health ◽

10.1089/tmj.2021.0331 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rawand A. Khasawneh ◽

Mohammad B. Nusair ◽

Rasha M. Arabyat ◽

Reema Karasneh ◽

Sayer Al-Azzam

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

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Combined association of multiple chronic diseases and social isolation with the functional disability after stroke in elderly patients: a multicenter cross-sectional study in China

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-021-02439-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xiangxiang Liu ◽

Hong-jie Yu ◽

Yan Gao ◽

Jing Zhou ◽

Mingchao Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Elderly Patients ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Functional Disability ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Severe Disability ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Multiple Chronic Diseases

Abstract Background Multiple chronic diseases (MCDs) and social isolation are independent risk factors related to stroke and disability, but it is unknown whether the combination of these two conditions resulted from aging-related to functional disability in stroke patients. This study aimed to probe the relationship between the combination of MCDs, social isolation, and functional disability after stroke in elderly patients. Methods A multicenter and cross-sectional study was conducted in the Departments of Rehabilitation of 103 hospitals located in 23 cities across China. Stroke patients aged 60–90 years were selected for analysis. Demographic characteristics, lifestyles, and clinical information were investigated by questionnaires and medical records. MCDs (hypertension/ diabetes/ hyperlipidemia/heart disease/kidney disease) were categorized into three levels: 0, 1, and ≥ 2. Functional disability was assessed by the Barthel Index and categorized into four groups: no, mild, moderate, and severe disability. The multi-nominal logistic regression model was used to explore the independent and combined association of MCDs and social isolation with functional disability. Results A total of 4046 elderly stroke patients (55 % males) were included in the final analysis. The prevalence of social isolation, MCDs ≥ 2, and severe disability increased with aging. In the fully adjusted model, patients with social isolation or MCDs had a higher risk of functional disability significantly than those without. Patients with social isolation combined MCDs ≥ 2 were 35 times (95 % CI: 18.89–64.69) more likely to suffer severe disability after stroke, and 8 times (95 % CI: 18.89–64.69) for moderate disability than those without social isolation and MCDs. Conclusions MCDs, social isolation, and their combination were associated with a higher risk of functional disability after stroke in Chinese elderly patients. The elderly population should be encouraged to participate in more social activities, particularly in those with MCDs. Future secondary prevention and rehabilitation treatments to the functional ability of elderly stroke patients should underscore both social activity and the combined treatments of MCDs. Trial registration NO: ChiCTR2000034067.

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Health literacy and patient activation among adults with chronic diseases in Singapore: A cross‐sectional study

Nursing Open ◽

10.1002/nop2.873 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Laura Yuqi Huang ◽

Yongxing Patrick Lin ◽

George Frederick Glass ◽

Ee‐Yuee Chan

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Patient Activation ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

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The impact of health literacy on health outcomes in individuals with chronic pain: a cross-sectional study

Physiotherapy ◽

10.1016/j.physio.2018.11.006 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 105 (3) ◽

pp. 346-353

Author(s):

Laura M. Mackey ◽

Catherine Blake ◽

Maire-Brid Casey ◽

Camillus K. Power ◽

Ray Victory ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Pain ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact

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Insights into the Predictors of Attitude toward Entomophagy: The Potential Role of Health Literacy: A Cross-Sectional Study Conducted in a Sample of Students of the University of Florence

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18105306 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 5306

Author(s):

Chiara Lorini ◽

Laura Ricotta ◽

Virginia Vettori ◽

Marco Del Riccio ◽

Massimiliano Alberto Biamonte ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Data Analysis ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Potential Role ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

University Of Florence ◽

The University ◽

Self Administered Questionnaire

In Western countries, one of the main barriers to entomophagy is repulsion toward insects. Few studies have investigated the factors that influence attitudes toward entomophagy. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional study involving a sample of 248 university students, focusing on disgust and other potential attributes that can influence insect consumption, including health literacy. We used a 17-item self-administered questionnaire. Consistent with the literature, two items were chosen as outcome variables to evaluate the predictors of the propensity to consume insects: “Have you ever eaten insects or insect-based products?” and “How disgusting do you find eating insects?” The data analysis shows that having already eaten insects is inversely associated with the level of disgust (OR: 0.1, p < 0.01); and it is positively associated with higher levels of health literacy (OR: 3.66, p > 0.01). Additionally, having some knowledge and information about entomophagy is inversely associated with a higher level of disgust (OR: 0.44, p = 0.03 and OR: 0.25, p = 0.03, respectively), while being female is positively associated with disgust (OR: 3.26, p < 0.01). Our results suggest the potential role of health literacy, in addition to other factors, in influencing the willingness to taste insects. However, further studies involving larger and non-convenience samples are needed to confirm our hypothesis.

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Low health literacy is associated with higher risk of type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study in Germany

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10508-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Daniel Tajdar ◽

Dagmar Lühmann ◽

Regina Fertmann ◽

Tim Steinberg ◽

Hendrik van den Bussche ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Statistical Models ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Diabetes Risk ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Low Health Literacy ◽

The Individual

Abstract Background Low health literacy is believed to be associated with behaviours that increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. But there is limited knowledge on the relation between health literacy (HL) and diabetes risk, and whether improving HL could be a potential prevention strategy. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to examine the link between HL and diabetes risk among non-diabetic adults. Methods We used data from the Hamburg Diabetes Prevention Survey, a population-based cross-sectional study in Germany. One thousand, two hundred and fifty-five non-diabetic subjects aged 18–60 years were eligible. The German Diabetes Risk Score (GDRS, ranging 0 to 123 points) was used to determine the individual risk of type 2 diabetes. The short version of the European Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q16, ranging 0 to 16 points) was applied to assess the individual self-reported HL. Subjects were asked to self-estimate their diabetes risk, which was then compared with the calculated GDRS. Descriptive statistics were calculated to investigate group differences in the GDRS and self-estimated diabetes risk. Linear as well as logistic regression models were performed to analyse potential influencing variables of the GDRS as well as incorrect self-estimated diabetes risk. In three nested statistical models for each outcome, these analyses were adjusted for age, gender, educational level and the presence of chronic conditions. Results According to the criteria of the GDRS, 996 (79.4%) subjects showed “low risk”, 176 (14.0%) “still low risk”, 53 (4.2%) “elevated risk”, and 30 (2.4%) “high to very high risk” to develop type 2 diabetes within the next 5 years. In the statistical models including all control variables, subjects with “inadequate HL” scored 2.38 points higher on the GDRS (95% CI 0.378 to 4.336; P = 0.020) and had a 2.04 greater chance to estimate their diabetes risk incorrectly (OR 2.04; 95% CI 1.33 to 3.14; P = 0.001) compared to those with “sufficient HL”. Conclusion The risk of type 2 diabetes is increased in people with inadequate self-reported HL. People with high diabetes risk and inadequate HL might be provided with educational programs to improve diabetes knowledge and reduce behavioural risk factors.

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Communicative health literacy in patients with non-communicable diseases in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Tropical Medicine and Health ◽

10.1186/s41182-021-00345-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 49 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Desalew Tilahun ◽

Abebe Abera ◽

Gugsa Nemera

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Source Population ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Non Communicable Diseases ◽

Health Literacy Level ◽

Literacy Level

Abstract Background Health literacy plays a prominent role in empowering individuals for prevention as well as management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). However, there is paucity of information on the health literacy of patients with non-communicable diseases in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess communicative health literacy and associated factors in patients with NCDs on follow-up at Jimma Medical Center (JMC), Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from 4 May 2020 to 4 July 2020 with 408 randomly selected adult patients, attending outpatient department of JMC in Ethiopia. The final sample size was obtained by using single population proportion formula. All patients with NCDs who were on follow-up at chronic illness clinic, JMC, were used as a source population. All eligible patients with NCDs who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in this study. A simple random sampling technique was used to recruit study participants. Data were collected through structured interviewer administered questionnaires on the six of nine health literacy domains using Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) containing 30 items, socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics, disease-related factors, and health information sources. Multivariable logistic regression was executed to determine the associations. Result Descriptive analysis shows more than half of the respondents in four of the six health literacy domains had high communicative health literacy level (CHLL). The proportion of people with high CHLL across each of the domains was as follows: health care provider support (56.1%), social support for health (53.7%), active engagement with a healthcare provider (56.1%), and navigating healthcare system (53.4%). We found educational status was significantly associated with five of six health literacy domains whereas number of sources was associated with four of six health literacy domains. Conclusion The overall findings of the current study indicate that health literacy levels vary according to socio-demographic and disease characteristics of patients. Thus, healthcare professionals should assess patients’ health literacy level and tailor information and support to the health literacy skills and personal context of their patients.

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Dissociation, Cognitive Reflection and Health Literacy Have a Modest Effect on Belief in Conspiracy Theories about COVID-19

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18105065 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 5065

Author(s):

Vojtech Pisl ◽

Jan Volavka ◽

Edita Chvojkova ◽

Katerina Cechova ◽

Gabriela Kavalirova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Online Survey ◽

Digital Health ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Conspiracy Theories ◽

Cognitive Reflection ◽

Variance Explained ◽

Modest Effect

Understanding the predictors of belief in COVID-related conspiracy theories and willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19 may aid the resolution of current and future pandemics. We investigate how psychological and cognitive characteristics influence general conspiracy mentality and COVID-related conspiracy theories. A cross-sectional study was conducted based on data from an online survey of a sample of Czech university students (n = 866) collected in January 2021, using multivariate linear regression and mediation analysis. Sixteen percent of respondents believed that COVID-19 is a hoax, and 17% believed that COVID-19 was intentionally created by humans. Seven percent of the variance of the hoax theory and 10% of the variance of the creation theory was explained by (in descending order of relevance) low cognitive reflection, low digital health literacy, high experience with dissociation and, to some extent, high bullshit receptivity. Belief in COVID-related conspiracy theories depended less on psychological and cognitive variables compared to conspiracy mentality (16% of the variance explained). The effect of digital health literacy on belief in COVID-related theories was moderated by cognitive reflection. Belief in conspiracy theories related to COVID-19 was influenced by experience with dissociation, cognitive reflection, digital health literacy and bullshit receptivity.

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