scholarly journals How Different Health Literacy Dimensions Influences Health Status and Well-being among Men and Women: The Mediating Role of Health Behaviors

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan Zhang ◽  
Peggy Pui-Lai Or ◽  
Joanne Wai-Yee Chung
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Men And Women

Abstract Background. Health literacy, the ability to access, understand, evaluate, and apply health information, was found to contribute to positive health outcomes, possibly via promoting healthy behaviors. However, the specific pathways linking different health literacy skills to health and well-being has remained unclear.Methods. A cross-sectional survey with structural questionnaires was administered among 2236 community-based adults in Hong Kong (mean age = 46.10 ± 19.05). Health literacy was measured by HLS-Asian-47. Participants' health behavior, physical conditions, and well-being were reported.Results. With structural modeling path analysis, health literacy in finding and understanding information showed a direct effect on enhancing physical health. While applying information capacity had an indirect positive effect via promoting health behaviors, which was moderated by gender. Only among women this indirect effect in predicting fewer physical symptoms and greater well-being was significant.Conclusions. Although similar patterns were found in physical condition and well-being, distinct direct and indirect pathways were found of different health literacy dimensions for men and women. Based on the findings, by targeting specific health literacy skills, education programs should be developed to enhance women’s health knowledge, and men's application of the knowledge in healthy lifestyle.

How Different Health Literacy Dimensions Influences Health Status and Well-being among Men and Women: The Mediating Role of Health Behaviors

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan Zhang ◽  
Peggy Pui-Lai Or ◽  
Joanne Wai-Yee Chung
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Men And Women

Abstract Background. Health literacy, the ability to access, understand, evaluate, and apply health information, was found to contribute to positive health outcomes, possibly via promoting healthy behaviors. However, the specific pathways linking different health literacy skills to health and well-being has remained unclear. Methods. A cross-sectional survey with structural questionnaires was administered among 2236 community-based adults in Hong Kong (mean age = 46.10 ±19.05). Health literacy was measured by HLS-Asian-47. Participants' health behavior, physical conditions, and subjective well-being were reported.Results. With structural modeling path analysis, health literacy in finding and understanding information showed a direct effect on enhancing physical health. While applying information capacity had an indirect positive effect via promoting health behaviors, which was moderated by sex. Only among women, this indirect effect predicting fewer physical symptoms and better well-being was significant.Conclusions. Although similar patterns were found in physical condition and well-being, distinct direct and indirect pathways were found of different health literacy dimensions for men and women. Based on the findings, by targeting specific health literacy skills, education programs should be developed to enhance women’s health knowledge, and men's application of the knowledge in healthy lifestyle.

scholarly journals Parental health literacy and health behaviors in children: a 2017 cross-sectional survey in Germany

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
E de Buhr ◽  
A Tannen
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Child Health ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Parental Health ◽  
Socio Economic Status

Abstract Background Health literacy (HL) is closely associated with leading health indicators. Parents represent a critical subgroup among the adult population since they are not only responsible for their own health but also for the health of their children. Previous research suggests that parents with low HL are less likely to meet the preventive and health care needs of their children but the relationship between parental HL and child health is not yet well understood. Methods A cross-sectional survey was implemented in 2017 in 28 public schools in Germany. The parent questionnaire was completed by 4217 caregivers and included the short form of the HLS-EU-Q16. The child questionnaire examined health knowledge, behaviors and outcomes. For children under 11 years, the caregiver reported on behalf of their children (N = 1518). In all other cases, the children completed the questionnaires (N = 2776). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were carried out. Results Among the interviewed parents, 45.8% showed a problematic or inadequate HL. Parents with higher HL reported a better subjective health and quality of life, and they judged their children as being healthier. The major determinant of high parental HL was socio-economic status (r=.088***). High parental HL was associated with positive health behaviors in children including higher consumption of fruits and vegetables, fewer sweetened beverages, regular tooth brushing and more physical activity. The relationships between parental HL and smoking, alcohol consumption, sexual activity among children and children’s weight were not significant. Conclusions The results confirm a relationship between low parental HL, SES and some problematic health behaviors in children. Strengthening the HL of vulnerable parents may contribute to improved health outcomes particularly in the areas of children’s nutrition, exercise and dental health, and parents should be integrated in school-based activities of health promotion and prevention. Key messages There is a strong statistical relationship between parental health literacy and socio-economic status. Parental health literacy is associated with child health behaviors (e.g., nutrition, exercise).

Subjective happiness and health behavior among a sample of university students in India

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 1045-1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Peltzer ◽  
Supa Pengpid
Keyword(s):  
Health Behavior ◽  
University Students ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Personal Mastery ◽  
Normal Sleep ◽  
Asian Indian Population ◽  
Age Range

The aim in this study was to establish the associations between health behaviors and happiness in an Asian (Indian) population. In a cross-sectional survey we assessed happiness and health behavior among a sample of 800 randomly selected university students taking nonhealth (mainly engineering and sciences) undergraduate courses at Gitam University, Visakhapatnam in India. The students were 541 (67.6%) males and 259 (32.4%) females in the age range of 17 to 20 years (M age 18.2 years, SD = 1.0). We performed multivariate analysis and found that better social support, better personal mastery, normal sleep duration, no current tobacco use, and eating breakfast daily or almost daily were associated with happiness. The findings partially confirmed the association between happiness and several health behaviors mediated by social factors. Our findings can be utilized in programs designed to improve overall well-being of university students in India.

scholarly journals The effect of health literacy on health status among residents in Qingdao, China: a path analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiqing Huang ◽  
Fei Qi ◽  
Rui Wang ◽  
Xiaorong Jia ◽  
Yani Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Path Analysis ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Positive Direct

Abstract Background Health literacy is a public health goal which can be used as an independent factor of health outcomes. This study aimed to assess the association between health literacy and health status, as well as the two mediating factors of behavior and self-efficacy among residents aged 15–69 years in Qingdao. Methods A cross-sectional survey was implemented among residents aged 15–69 years (N = 3793) in Qingdao, China. A combination of stratified cluster random and proportional probability sampling methods was used to select subjects for this study. Data were collected using “The Chinese Citizen Health Literacy Questionnaire (2019)”. We proposed a hypothetical model for the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics, health literacy, self-efficacy, health behavior, and health status, and used path analysis to validate the hypothesis. Results The path analysis showed that higher education (β = 0.293) and income (β = 0.135) are positively and directly associated with greater health literacy, which was positively associated with health status (β = 0.057). Health literacy is a direct influencing factor of health behavior (β = 0.070) and self-efficacy (β = 0.099). Health behavior (β = 0.041) and self-efficacy (β = 0.173) exerted a positive direct effect on health status. The model explained 14.1% of variance for health literacy, 3.8% for self-efficacy, 5.7% for health behavior, and 15.0% for health status. Conclusions Health literacy was identified to be a critical factor in health status. The results emphasized that the dissemination of health knowledge, development of healthy behavior, and cultivation of self-efficacy should be jointly promoted to reinforce the level of health status among residents in future work.

scholarly journals The Mediating Role of the Patient Health Engagement Model on the Relationship Between Patient Perceived Autonomy Supportive Healthcare Climate and Health Literacy Skills

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 1741 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serena Barello ◽  
Lorenzo Palamenghi ◽  
Guendalina Graffigna
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Chronic Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Main Hypothesis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
The Relationship

Individuals with low health literacy (HL) are known to have poorer health outcomes and to have higher mortality rates compared to individuals with higher HL; hence, the improvement of HL is a key outcome in modern healthcare systems. Healthcare providers are therefore asked to support patients in becoming more and more engaged in their healthcare, thus augmenting their literacy skills. Our main hypothesis is that the well-known relationship between patients’ perceived autonomy supportive healthcare climate and HL skills is mediated by the Patient Health Engagement Model (PHE-model) which describes the patients’ progressive maturation of a psychological readiness to become active players in their healthcare. The purpose of this study was to formulate a hypothetical structural equation model (SEM) linking an autonomy-supportive healthcare climate to PHE-model and HL. A cross-sectional survey design was employed involving 1007 Italian chronic patients. The hypothetical model was tested using SEM to verify the hypothesized mediation of the PHE-model between autonomy-supportive healthcare climate and HL. Results show that the theoretical model has a good fit indexes and that PHE-model fully mediates the relationship between autonomy-supportive healthcare climate and HL. This finding suggests healthcare systems to implement a new paradigm where patients are supported to play an autonomous role in their own healthcare.

Gender Differences in Health Literacy Among Korean Adults

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 370-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hee Yun Lee ◽  
Jiwoo Lee ◽  
Nam Keol Kim
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Korean Adults

The role of gender in determining the level of health literacy in Korean adults is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the level of health literacy in Korean adults and identify factors associated with health literacy by gender. This study employed a cross-sectional survey design with a convenient sample of 585 community-dwelling Korean adults age19 years and older. Health literacy was measured by using eight items selected from Chew et al.’s 16-question self-reported health literacy measure. In accordance with Andersen’s health behavior model, predisposing, enabling, and need factors were included in the multiple regression model. Women indicated a higher level of health literacy than men in understanding medical forms, directions on medication bottles, and written information offered by health care providers. Additionally, for Korean women, a higher level of health literacy was associated with attaining a higher education level and having a consistent place to receive care. Unmarried men and men who had higher self-rated health reported a higher level of health literacy compared with their counterparts. Lower level of depression and higher monthly income were significantly linked to a higher level of health literacy in both men and women. This study has established the importance of gender differences in health literacy and suggests gender-specific intervention may be warranted to reduce the existing gap in health literacy in both Korean men and women. Future research should replicate this study to confirm whether or not our finding is an international phenomenon.

scholarly journals Adults with Greater Weight Satisfaction Report More Positive Health Behaviors and Have Better Health Status Regardless of BMI

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine E. Blake ◽  
James R. Hébert ◽  
Duck-chul Lee ◽  
Swann A. Adams ◽  
Susan E. Steck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Weight Satisfaction ◽  
Complex Relationships

Background.Prior studies suggest that weight satisfaction may preclude changes in behavior that lead to healthier weight among individuals who are overweight or obese.Objective.To gain a better understanding of complex relationships between weight satisfaction, weight-related health behaviors, and health outcomes.Design.Cross-sectional analysis of data from the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study (ACLS).Participants.Large mixed-gender cohort of primarily white, middle-to-upper socioeconomic status (SES) adults with baseline examination between 1987 and 2002 (n=19,003).Main Outcome Variables.Weight satisfaction, weight-related health behaviors, chronic health conditions, and clinical health indicators.Statistical Analyses Performed.Chi-square test,t-tests, and linear and multivariate logistic regression.Results.Compared to men, women were more likely to be dieting (32% women; 18% men) and had higher weight dissatisfaction. Men and women with greater weight dissatisfaction reported more dieting, yo-yo dieting, and snacking and consuming fewer meals, being less active, and having to eat either more or less than desired to maintain weight regardless of weight status. Those who were overweight or obese and dissatisfied with their weight had the poorest health.Conclusion.Greater satisfaction with one’s weight was associated with positive health behaviors and health outcomes in both men and women and across weight status groups.

The effect of health literacy on treatment adherence in maintenance haemodialysis patients: a cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
pp. 11-18
Author(s):  
Adrian Esterman
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Treatment Adherence ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Maintenance Haemodialysis ◽  
Concept Of Health ◽  
Multidimensional Concept

Background: Treatment non-adherence may be prevalent in patients requiring haemodialysis (HD). Health literacy plays an important role in self-management. However, most research has only assessed basic literacy skills in the haemodialysis cohort. Aim: To determine the association between a multidimensional concept of health literacy and self-reported treatment adherence in HD patients. Method: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken with 42 maintenance HD patients from two South Australian dialysis centres. The Functional, Communicative and Critical Health Literacy (FCCHL) tool was used to assess health literacy. Treatment adherence was measured using a self-report tool developed by the researchers. Results: Higher overall health literacy was associated with increased adherence to food (OR 3.66; 95% CI 1.08–12.43; p=0.038), fluid (OR 4.92; 95% CI 1.13–21.35; p=0.033) and medications (OR 11.88; 95% CI 2.26–62.44; p=0.003). Conclusion: Interventions should be designed to facilitate a multidimensional concept of health literacy to assist patients to follow treatment recommendations.

scholarly journals Association of Individual Health Literacy with Preventive Behaviours and Family Well-being during COVID-19 Pandemic: Mediating Role of Family Information Sharing

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Yuen Ha Wong ◽  
Abraham Ka Chung Wai ◽  
Shengzhi Zhao ◽  
Faustina Yip ◽  
Jung Jae Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Information Sharing ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Individual Health

Objective: We tested a model of individual health literacy, information sharing with family members, personal preventive behaviours and family well-being during COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong. Methods: We analysed data of 1501 randomly selected Chinese adults from a cross-sectional survey in Hong Kong from 9 to 23 April 2020. Individual health literacy, COVID-19 information sharing with family members, preventive behaviours against COVID-19 and family well-being were measured. Structural equation modelling analysis tested the proposed model. Findings: COVID-19 information sharing with family members partially mediated the association between individual health literacy and personal preventive behaviours. The direct effect of .24 was shown and indirect effect through COVID-19 information sharing with family members was small with .03 (Z = 3.66, p < .001). Family well-being was associated with personal preventive behaviours against COVID-19. The model was adjusted for sex, age, and socioeconomic status factors and had good fit with RMSEA = .04, CFI = .98, TLI = .96, and SRMR = .02. Conclusion: COVID-19 information sharing with family members was a partial mediator between individual health literacy and personal preventive behaviours against COVID-19. Strategies for enhancing health literacy and preventive measures against COVID-19 are needed to promote family well-being in the pandemic.

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