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 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.

The missing link to patient engagement in Italy

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 1183-1203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rocco Palumbo ◽  
Carmela Annarumma ◽  
Paola Adinolfi ◽  
Marco Musella
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Patient Engagement ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Health Care Service ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Limited Health Literacy ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Limited Health ◽  
Inadequate Health Literacy

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the changing patterns of users’ behavior in the health care service system. Although patient engagement and health services’ co-production are understood as essential ingredients in the recipe for sustainable health systems, some determinants to patient involvement are still widely neglected by both policy makers and health care professionals. Among others, inadequate health literacy performs as a significant barrier to patient empowerment. Design/methodology/approach A survey aimed at objectively measuring health literacy-related skills was administered to a random sample of 600 Italian patients. The Italian version of the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) was used to assess the ability of the respondents to deal with written health information. Moreover, the respondents were asked to self-report their ability to navigate the health system. It was presumed that inadequate health literacy as measured by the NVS is related with impaired self-reported functional, interactive, and critical health-related competencies, paving the way for the inability and the unwillingness of patients to be involved in the health care provision. Findings About half of the sample showed inadequate health literacy. However, poor NVS scores were only slightly associated with limited self-reported functional, interactive, and critical health-related competencies. In general, patients with inadequate health-related skills were not likely to be engaged in the provision of health services. Elderly, people suffering from financial deprivation and less educated individuals were found to be at special risk of living with limited health literacy. Practical implications Limited health literacy is a common and relevant issue among people dealing with the health care service system. The impaired ability to collect, process, and use health information produces barriers to patient engagement and prevents the evolution of patients’ behavior toward health care co-production. Originality/value Health literacy is a widely overlooked issue in the Italian national health system. This paper contributes in shedding light on the determinants and effects of health literacy of Italian hospital patients. Besides, some insights on the validity of the methodological tools typically used to assess health-related skills are provided.

scholarly journals Information about organ donation: the perspective of people with limited health literacy

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Rademakers ◽  
M Rolink ◽  
M Heijmans
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Organ Donation ◽  
Organ Donor ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Limited Health Literacy ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Law ◽  
Information Channels ◽  
Limited Health

Abstract Background In 2020, a new law on organ donation will come into force in the Netherlands. This law requires people to actively register their choice whether or not to be an organ donor after death. In this opt-out system, people who do not register themselves are automatically considered to be a donor. To inform the general public, the Dutch ministry of Health launched a communication campaign to inform the general audience. However, people with limited health literacy - 1 in three Dutch adults - have difficulties understanding health related information. Therefore, a study was performed to determine the appropriate information content and communication channels to better address the knowledge needs of this specific target group. Methods The study was done through (a) desk research and (b) 6 individual interviews and 4 focus groups with people with limited health literacy (total 30 people). The respondents were recruited through organisations that focus on specific populations with limited health literacy (limited reading and writing skills, minor intellectual disabilities, migrants). Results Most respondents had not heard about the new law on organ donation. Those who were aware of the law did not know what the law entails and what was required of them. The content of the information currently used were generally considered too difficult and abstract and did not give the respondents enough input on which to base a decision whether or not to be an organ donor. People with limited health literacy can mention specific topics on which they want information. Furthermore, they want practical help in registering their choice through the website. As information channels they prefer simple films and narratives of other people. Conclusions People with limited health literacy need more specific information on organ donation and what the new law entails. They have a preference for films and narratives. Furthermore, they need practical help in registering their choice. Key messages Current information on the new Dutch law on organ donation is too difficult and does not address the knowledge needs of people with limited health literacy. Films and narratives are preferred information channels of people with limited health literacy.

scholarly journals Health literacy: a cross-disciplinary study in American undergraduate college students

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Joseph ◽  
Samantha Fernandes ◽  
Lauri Hyers ◽  
Kerri O'Brien
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Vital Sign ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Sign Test ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Newest Vital Sign ◽  
Undergraduate College Students

Our research aims to assess the health literacy of undergraduate college students. Past research on the health literacy of undergraduate students has revealed some gaps in the undergraduate health literacy. In this study, we employed the Newest Vital Sign Test to measure health literacy. We interviewed 235 undergraduate students from health majors (nursing and other health) and non-health majors. We hypothesised that due to the specificity of a health-related curriculum, nursing and other health-related majors would score higher in health literacy than non-health-related majors, and that nursing majors in particular would score higher than other health-related majors and non-health-related majors. We found support for our hypothesis, as nursing majors had a mean score of 3.57, while health and non-health majors had a mean score of 3.24 and 2.88 respectively when assessing their health literacy levels. We discuss our results with regard to the strategies for improving health literacy skills.

Examining the impacts of health literacy on healthcare costs. An evidence synthesis

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 197-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rocco Palumbo
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Healthcare Costs ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Evidence Synthesis ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Organizational Strategies ◽  
Limited Health Literacy ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Limited Health

Scholars and practitioners share a significant concern about rising healthcare costs. Health literacy is widely presented as a solution to this momentous issue, paving the way for a more appropriate access to care and therefore, for cost savings. However, to date little is still known about the ultimate effects of better health literacy on healthcare costs. Drawing from the findings of a systematic literature review which ultimately involved 29 papers retrieved from Scopus-Elsevier and PubMed. This manuscript is aimed at shedding light on the relationship between health literacy and healthcare costs. The inadequate ability of patients to understand health information and to navigate the healthcare system was found to be an important predictor of inappropriateness in the access to health care. In addition, people living with problematic health literacy are discouraged to be engaged in the provision of health services and are expected to show poor self-efficacy in dealing with their health-related conditions. From this point of view, poor health literate patients are assumed to be at high risk of exacerbation of their health problems, which in turn contributes in rising healthcare costs. In spite of these findings, both policy makers and practitioners seem to overlook the importance of health literacy. Eventually, the joint intervention on laws, policies, organizational strategies, and practices is crucial to handle the challenges related to limited health literacy.

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 Limited Functional Health Literacy, Health Information Sources, and Health Behavior among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Japan

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuko Yoshida ◽  
Hajime Iwasa ◽  
Shu Kumagai ◽  
Takao Suzuki ◽  
Hideyo Yoshida
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
Functional Health Literacy ◽  
Limited Health Literacy ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Limited Health ◽  
Health Information Sources

The objectives of this study were to explore how health information sources vary by functional health literacy levels and the relationship between health literacy and health behaviors among the old-old, community-dwelling adults. A cross-sectional study was used. The sample included 620 participants from a rural community in northern Japan. We used structured questionnaires to gather demographic information and assess health-related behaviors, information sources utilized, and functional health literacy. Functional health literacy scores were categorized into three groups, namely, low, middle, and high literacy. Individuals with limited health literacy were more likely to drink less alcohol, were less physically active, had less dietary variety, and had a low rate of medical check-ups. They were also less likely to use printed media, organization or medical procedure, electronic media, and accessed fewer health-related information sources. This study highlights the necessity of information tools that facilitate better access to information among older adults with limited health literacy.

scholarly journals Health Literacy and Frailty in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Evidence from a Nationwide Cohort Study in South Korea

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 7918
Author(s):  
Hye-Ri Shin ◽  
Eun-Young Choi ◽  
Su-Kyung Kim ◽  
Hee-Yun Lee ◽  
Young-Sun Kim
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Limited Health Literacy ◽  
Frailty Status ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Limited Health

Health literacy is closely associated with poor health outcomes and mortality. However, only a handful of studies have examined the association between health literacy and frailty status. The current study used data from a nationwide sample of Korean adults aged 70–84 collected from 10 cities, each of which represents a different region of South Korea (n = 1521). We used the propensity score matching (PSM) method to minimize the potential selection bias and confounding factors that are present in observational studies. After PSM, demographic and health-related characteristics between the limited health literacy (n = 486) and the nonlimited health literacy (n = 486) groups were not significantly different. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted for the PSM-matched sample to examine the association between health literacy and frailty outcomes, where the robust group was set as a reference. Limited health literacy significantly increased the risk of pre-frailty (RRR = 1.45, p = 0.02) and frailty (RRR = 2.03, p = 0.01) after adjusting for demographic and health-related factors. Our findings underscore the need to foster health literacy programs and provide preliminary evidence to inform tailored intervention programs so that we might attenuate the risk of frailty in the older population.

scholarly journals Health literacy and associated factors among undergraduates: A university-based cross-sectional study in Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (11) ◽  
pp. e0000016
Author(s):  
Sandesh Bhusal ◽  
Rajan Paudel ◽  
Milan Gaihre ◽  
Kiran Paudel ◽  
Tara Ballav Adhikari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Survey Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Limited Health Literacy ◽  
Financial Status ◽  
Literacy Survey ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Limited Health

Health literacy is one of the most critical aspects of health promotion. Limited health literacy is also accounted for adverse health outcomes and a huge financial burden on society. However, a gap exists in the level of health literacy, especially among undergraduates. This study aimed to assess the levels of health literacy and its socio-demographic determinants among undergraduate students of Tribhuvan University, Nepal. A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 469 undergraduate students from five institutes of Tribhuvan University, Nepal. The 16-item short version of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q16) was used to measure students’ health literacy levels. Associated factors were examined using Chi-square tests followed by multivariate logistic regression analyses at the level of significance of 0.05. Nearly 61% of students were found to have limited health literacy (24.5% had “inadequate” and 36.3% had “problematic” health literacy). Female students (aOR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1–2.5), students from non-health related majors (aOR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2–3.0), students with unsatisfactory health status (aOR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.7–4.5), students with poor financial status (aOR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.2–6.8) and students with low self-esteem (aOR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.5–4.1) were significantly more likely to have limited health literacy. The majority of the undergraduates were found to have limited health literacy. Gender, sector of study, self-rated health status, self-rated financial status, and self-esteem were significantly associated with limited health literacy. This study indicates university students should not be assumed to be health-literate and interventions to improve students’ health literacy especially for those whose majors are not health-related should be implemented. Further studies using a longer version of the health literacy survey questionnaire and qualitative methods to explore more on determinants of health literacy are recommended.

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