scholarly journals Health Literacy Deficits Found Among Educated, Insured University Employees

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (9) ◽  
pp. 419-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joyce I. Karl ◽  
Jodi C. McDaniel
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Employee Training ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Occupational Training ◽  
Sample Mean ◽  
Limited Health Literacy ◽  
University Employees ◽  
Newest Vital Sign ◽  
Limited Health

Evidence has consistently shown that low/limited health literacy (HL) is associated with negative health consequences and higher costs for individuals and society. To generate internal data for employee training and health/wellness programming, an HL assessment of 120 university employees was conducted using the Newest Vital Sign (NVS), a valid and reliable clinical screening tool that asks individuals to interpret a nutrition label. Sociodemographic data were collected and time to administer the NVS tool was also measured. Even in this employed, well-educated sample (mean years of formal education was 16.6 years), 17% had scores indicating limited or possibly limited HL. Findings have implications for occupational training and health providers and programs. Even a well-educated workforce benefits from addressing HL challenges or situational issues with universal strategies. This project supports initiatives to assist employees better navigate, understand, and use health information and services to improve their health.

scholarly journals Limited Health Literacy in Portugal Assessed with the Newest Vital Sign

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dagmara Paiva ◽  
Susana Silva ◽  
Milton Severo ◽  
Pedro Moura-Ferreira ◽  
Nuno Lunet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Vital Sign ◽  
High Reliability ◽  
Portuguese Population ◽  
Limited Health Literacy ◽  
Sociodemographic Correlates ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Newest Vital Sign ◽  
Limited Health ◽  
Related Occupation

Introduction: In Portugal, health literacy has started to be addressed through national policies, but research on the topic is still scarce. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of limited health literacy in Portugal using an existing health literacy instrument, the Newest Vital Sign.Materials and Methods: Following cross-cultural adaptation of the instrument, a sample of 249 participants was evaluated to assess reliability and construct validity of the Newest Vital Sign; the latter was tested assuming physicians would score highest, followed by health researchers, then by engineering researchers and finally by laypersons from the general population. We applied this validated version in a representative sample of 1544 Portuguese-speaking residents in Portugal aged between 16 and 79 years and quantified the associations between limited health literacy and sociodemographic characteristics.Results: The instrument showed high reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.85). Health-related occupation showed association with higher scores in the Newest Vital Sign (p trend < 0.001). The prevalence of limited health literacy in the Portuguese population was 72.9% (95% CI: 69.4 - 76.4). We found no differences between men and women, but persons with limited health literacy were significantly older (p < 0.001) and less educated (p < 0.001).Discussion: The burden of limited health literacy in Portugal is higher than that in other European countries. It should drive a universal precautions approach to health communication at all levels of the health system.Conclusion: We validated a brief and simple instrument and estimated the prevalence of limited health literacy in the literate Portuguese population at roughly three out of four people.

scholarly journals Is the Newest Vital Sign a Useful Measure of Health Literacy in HIV Disease?

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 595-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria M. Kordovski ◽  
Steven Paul Woods ◽  
Gunes Avci ◽  
Marizela Verduzco ◽  
Erin E. Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Medication Management ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Hiv Disease ◽  
Limited Health Literacy ◽  
Management Capacity ◽  
Newest Vital Sign ◽  
Limited Health ◽  
Medication Management Capacity

Background: Limited health literacy is common among persons infected with HIV and has been linked to poor mental and physical health outcomes, but there are no well-validated screening measures of health literacy in this vulnerable clinical population. The present study evaluates the usefulness of the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) as a brief measure of health literacy in HIV disease. Methods: Seventy-eight HIV+ adults were administered the NVS, Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM), and Single Item Literacy Screener (SILS). Main criterion variables included plasma HIV viral load, medication management capacity, self-efficacy for medication management, and perceived relationships with healthcare providers. Results: The NVS showed good internal consistency and moderate correlations with the REALM and SILS. Rates of limited health literacy were highest on the NVS (30.3%) as compared to SILS (6.6%) and REALM (9.2%). A series of regressions controlling for education showed that the NVS was incrementally predictive of viral load, medication management capacity and self-efficacy, and relationships with healthcare providers, above and beyond the REALM and SILS. Conclusion: The NVS shows evidence of reliability, convergent validity, and incremental criterion-related validity and thus may serve as useful screening tool for assessing health literacy in HIV disease.

scholarly journals Malaysian Health Literacy: Scorecard Performance from a National Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5813
Author(s):  
Norrafizah Jaafar ◽  
Komathi Perialathan ◽  
Manimaran Krishnan ◽  
Nurashma Juatan ◽  
Masitah Ahmad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Average Score ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Limited Health Literacy ◽  
Health Literacy Level ◽  
Prevention And Health Promotion ◽  
Literacy Level ◽  
Limited Health

Health literacy is an indicator of a society’s ability to make better health judgements for themselves and the people around them. This study investigated the prevalence of health literacy among Malaysian adults and provided an overall picture of the society’s current health literacy status, which has not been previously assessed. The study also highlighted socio-demographic markers of communities with limited health literacy that may warrant future intervention. A population-based self-administered survey using the Health Literacy Survey Malaysian Questionnaire18 (HLS-M-Q18) instrument was conducted as part of the National Health Morbidity Survey 2019 in Malaysia. The nationwide survey utilized a two-staged stratified random sampling method. A sample of 9478 individuals aged 18 and above, drawn from the living quarter list, participated in the study. The health literacy score was divided into three levels; limited, sufficient, and excellent. Findings showed a majority of the Malaysian population had a sufficient health literacy level in all three domains—healthcare, diseases prevention and health promotion (49.1%, 44.2%, and 47.5%, respectively)—albeit leaning towards the lower end of the category with an average score of 35.5. The limited health literacy groups were prevalent among respondents with older age (68%), lower education level (64.8%), and lower household income (49.5%). The overall health literacy status for Malaysia was categorized at a lower sufficiency level. Future health literacy improvements should focus on communities with a limited health literacy level to improve the overall score.

scholarly journals Health literacy level in a various nephrology population from Québec: predialysis clinic, in-centre hemodialysis and home dialysis; a transversal monocentric observational study

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annabel Boyer ◽  
Yannick Begin ◽  
Julie Dupont ◽  
Mathieu Rousseau-Gagnon ◽  
Nicolas Fernandez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Sufficient Information ◽  
Home Dialysis ◽  
Limited Health Literacy ◽  
Limited Health

Abstract Background Health literacy refers to the ability of individuals to gain access to, use, and understand health information and services in order to maintain a good health. It is especially important in nephrology due to the complexity of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The present study sought to define health literacy levels in patients followed in predialysis clinic, in-center dialysis (ICHD), peritoneal dialysis (PD) and home hemodialysis (HHD). Methods This transversal monocentric observational study analysed 363 patients between October 2016 and April 2017. The Brief Health Literacy Screen (BHLS) and the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) were used to measure health literacy. Multivariate linear regressions were used to compare the mean scores on the BHLS and HLQ, across the four groups. Results Patients on PD had a significantly higher BHLS’score than patients on ICHD (p = 0.04). HLQ’s scores differed across the groups: patients on HHD (p = 0.01) and PD (p = 0.002) were more likely to feel understood by their healthcare providers. Compared to ICHD, patients on HHD were more likely to have sufficient information to manage their health (p = 0.02), and patients in the predialysis clinic were more likely to report high abilities for health information appraisal (p < 0.001). Conclusion In a monocentric study, there is a significant proportion of CKD patients, especially in predialysis clinic and in-centre hemodialysis, with limited health literacy. Patients on home dialysis (HHD and PD) had a higher level of health literacy compared to the other groups.

Can Screening Items Identify Surgery Patients at Risk of Limited Health Literacy?

2007 ◽  
Vol 140 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorraine S. Wallace ◽  
David C. Cassada ◽  
Edwin S. Rogers ◽  
Michael B. Freeman ◽  
Oscar H. Grandas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Limited Health Literacy ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Limited Health

scholarly journals AB0300 LUPUS DISEASE ACTIVITY CORRELATES WITH QUALITY OF LIFE BUT NOT WITH HEALTH LITERACY STATUS

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1176.2-1176
Author(s):  
E. Eraslan ◽  
R. Bilici Salman ◽  
H. Satiş ◽  
A. Avanoglu Guler ◽  
H. Karadeniz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Patient Reported Outcome ◽  
The Body ◽  
Limited Health Literacy ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Limited Health

Background:Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease of unknown etiology that can affect any organ of the body. SLE is associated with adverse effects on both health and non-health-related quality of life (HRQOL and non-HRQOL). Lupus PRO is a patient reported outcome measure that has been validated in many languages. It has 44 items that cover both HRQOL and non-HRQOL (1). Health literacy is defined as the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. Multiple studies indicate that people with limited health literacy have worse health status and higher rates of hospitalization (2).Objectives:We aimed to evaluate the relationship between the LLDAS (Lupus Low Disease Activity State) criteria and the Lupus PRO test, as well as the health literacy status of lupus patients.Methods:83 SLE patients (94% women) were included in the study. We performed Lupus PRO and the European Health Literacy Survey tests during the routine follow-up visits of lupus patients to our rheumatology outpatient clinic and admissions to rheumatology inpatient clinic. Available clinical data on medical records were obtained, physician global assessments (PGA) were recorded by the attending physician.Results:LLDAS criteria strongly and inversely correlated with the total score, as well as the mood subunit of the Lupus PRO. Similarly, it also significantly inversely correlated with the body appearence and goals subunits. Health literacy status of the patients did not correlate with their LLDAS scores, ie their disease activities.Conclusion:Our results suggest that lupus disease activity, assessed by LLDAS criteria, significantly correlates with measures of quality of life, spesicifically Lupus PRO test, but not with health literacy status. Further studies are needed to evaluate if health literacy is related with damage, hospitalization or mortality associated with lupus.References:[1]Jolly M, Pickard AS, Block JA, Kumar RB, Mikolaitis RA, Wilke CT, et al., editors. Disease-specific patient reported outcome tools for systemic lupus erythematosus. Seminars in arthritis and rheumatism; 2012: Elsevier.[2]Paasche-Orlow MK, Parker RM, Gazmararian JA, Nielsen-Bohlman LT, Rudd RR. The prevalence of limited health literacy. Journal of general internal medicine. 2005;20(2):175-84.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals Physician notification of their diabetes patients’ limited health literacy: A randomized, controlled trial

2005 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 1001-1007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilary K. Seligman ◽  
Frances F. Wang ◽  
Jorge L. Palacios ◽  
Clifford C. Wilson ◽  
Carolyn Daher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Limited Health Literacy ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Limited Health ◽  
Diabetes Patients

scholarly journals A Theory-Based Self-Care Intervention with the Application of Health Literacy Strategies in Patients with High Blood Pressure and Limited Health Literacy: A Protocol Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Homamodin Javadzade ◽  
Azam Larki ◽  
Rahim Tahmasebi ◽  
Mahnoush Reisi
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
High Blood Pressure ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Limited Health Literacy ◽  
Literacy Strategies ◽  
Care Intervention ◽  
Limited Health

The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a theory-based self-care intervention with the application of health literacy strategies in patients with high blood pressure and limited health literacy. This is a randomized controlled trial, with measurements at baseline and 1 and 3 months follow-up. 100 patients with high blood pressure and limited health literacy will be randomly allocated to either an intervention group or a usual care control group. We will mainly establish the intervention model based on the principal health belief model components. Patients randomized to the intervention group will receive four educational sessions during four weeks. Considering the limited health literacy level of the patients of the study, health literacy strategies will be used in educational material design for enhancing the quality of the intervention. In order to cover these strategies, we will design four standard animated comics and fact sheets with illustrations and photos consistent with the health belief model constructs and educational sessions’ topics. Data will be collected using some questionnaires and will be analyzed using the SPSS software. The findings of this study may assist with the development of a theoretical model for self-care intervention in patients with high blood pressure and limited health literacy.

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