scholarly journals Evaluating the Need to Address Digital Literacy Among Hospitalized Patients: Cross-Sectional Observational Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Vollbrecht ◽  
Vineet Arora ◽  
Sebastian Otero ◽  
Kyle Carey ◽  
David Meltzer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Hospitalized Patients ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Technology Access ◽  
Adequate Health Literacy ◽  
Gender And Education ◽  
Low Health Literacy ◽  
Health Literacy Level ◽  
Literacy Level

BACKGROUND Technology is a potentially powerful tool to assist patients with transitions of care during and after hospitalization. Patients with low health literacy who are predisposed to poor health outcomes are particularly poised to benefit from such interventions. However, this population may lack the ability to effectively engage with technology. Although prior research studied the role of health literacy in technology access/use among outpatients, hospitalized patient populations have not been investigated in this context. Further, with the rapid uptake of technology, access may no longer be pertinent, and differences in technological capabilities may drive the current digital divide. Thus, characterizing the digital literacy of hospitalized patients across health literacy levels is paramount. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine the relationship between health literacy level and technological access, use, and capability among hospitalized patients. METHODS Adult inpatients completed a technology survey that asked about technology access/use and online capabilities as part of an ongoing quality of care study. Participants’ health literacy level was assessed utilizing the 3-question Brief Health Literacy Screen. Descriptive statistics, bivariate chi-squared analyses, and multivariate logistic regression analyses (adjusting for age, race, gender, and education level) were performed. Using Bonferroni correction for the 18 tests, the threshold <i>P</i> value for significance was &lt;.003. RESULTS Among 502 enrolled participants, the mean age was 51 years, 71.3% (358/502) were African American, half (265/502, 52.8%) were female, and half (253/502, 50.4%) had at least some college education. Over one-third (191/502, 38.0%) of participants had low health literacy. The majority of participants owned devices (owned a smartphone: 116/173, 67.1% low health literacy versus 235/300, 78.3% adequate health literacy, <i>P</i>=.007) and had used the Internet previously (143/189, 75.7% low health literacy versus 281/309, 90.9% adequate health literacy, <i>P</i>&lt;.001). Participants with low health literacy were more likely to report needing help performing online tasks (133/189, 70.4% low health literacy versus 135/303, 44.6% adequate health literacy, <i>P</i>&lt;.001). In the multivariate analysis, when adjusting for age, race, gender, and education level, we found that low health literacy was not significantly associated with a lower likelihood of owning smartphones (OR: 0.8, 95% CI 0.5-1.4; <i>P</i>=.52) or using the internet ever (OR: 0.5, 95% CI 0.2-0.9; <i>P</i>=.02). However, low health literacy remained significantly associated with a higher likelihood of needing help performing any online task (OR: 2.2, 95% CI 1.3-3.6; <i>P</i>=.002). CONCLUSIONS The majority of participants with low health literacy had access to technological devices and had used the internet previously, but they were unable to perform online tasks without assistance. The barriers patients face in using online health information and other health information technology may be more related to online capabilities rather than to technology access. When designing and implementing technological tools for hospitalized patients, it is important to ensure that patients across digital literacy levels can both understand and use them.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Need to Address Digital Literacy Among Hospitalized Patients: Cross-Sectional Observational Study

10.2196/17519 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. e17519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Vollbrecht ◽  
Vineet Arora ◽  
Sebastian Otero ◽  
Kyle Carey ◽  
David Meltzer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Hospitalized Patients ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Technology Access ◽  
Adequate Health Literacy ◽  
Gender And Education ◽  
Low Health Literacy ◽  
Health Literacy Level ◽  
Literacy Level

Background Technology is a potentially powerful tool to assist patients with transitions of care during and after hospitalization. Patients with low health literacy who are predisposed to poor health outcomes are particularly poised to benefit from such interventions. However, this population may lack the ability to effectively engage with technology. Although prior research studied the role of health literacy in technology access/use among outpatients, hospitalized patient populations have not been investigated in this context. Further, with the rapid uptake of technology, access may no longer be pertinent, and differences in technological capabilities may drive the current digital divide. Thus, characterizing the digital literacy of hospitalized patients across health literacy levels is paramount. Objective We sought to determine the relationship between health literacy level and technological access, use, and capability among hospitalized patients. Methods Adult inpatients completed a technology survey that asked about technology access/use and online capabilities as part of an ongoing quality of care study. Participants’ health literacy level was assessed utilizing the 3-question Brief Health Literacy Screen. Descriptive statistics, bivariate chi-squared analyses, and multivariate logistic regression analyses (adjusting for age, race, gender, and education level) were performed. Using Bonferroni correction for the 18 tests, the threshold P value for significance was <.003. Results Among 502 enrolled participants, the mean age was 51 years, 71.3% (358/502) were African American, half (265/502, 52.8%) were female, and half (253/502, 50.4%) had at least some college education. Over one-third (191/502, 38.0%) of participants had low health literacy. The majority of participants owned devices (owned a smartphone: 116/173, 67.1% low health literacy versus 235/300, 78.3% adequate health literacy, P=.007) and had used the Internet previously (143/189, 75.7% low health literacy versus 281/309, 90.9% adequate health literacy, P<.001). Participants with low health literacy were more likely to report needing help performing online tasks (133/189, 70.4% low health literacy versus 135/303, 44.6% adequate health literacy, P<.001). In the multivariate analysis, when adjusting for age, race, gender, and education level, we found that low health literacy was not significantly associated with a lower likelihood of owning smartphones (OR: 0.8, 95% CI 0.5-1.4; P=.52) or using the internet ever (OR: 0.5, 95% CI 0.2-0.9; P=.02). However, low health literacy remained significantly associated with a higher likelihood of needing help performing any online task (OR: 2.2, 95% CI 1.3-3.6; P=.002). Conclusions The majority of participants with low health literacy had access to technological devices and had used the internet previously, but they were unable to perform online tasks without assistance. The barriers patients face in using online health information and other health information technology may be more related to online capabilities rather than to technology access. When designing and implementing technological tools for hospitalized patients, it is important to ensure that patients across digital literacy levels can both understand and use them.

scholarly journals Instructions for masking the taste of medication for children

2016 ◽  
Vol 150 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Régis Vaillancourt ◽  
Yen Truong ◽  
Shazya Karmali ◽  
Amanda Kraft ◽  
Selina Manji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
School Health ◽  
Clinical Impact ◽  
Pediatric Hospital ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Low Health Literacy ◽  
Health Literacy Level ◽  
Literacy Level

Background: Medications that taste unpleasant can be a struggle to administer to children, most often resulting in low adherence rates. Pictograms can be useful tools to improve adherence by conveying information to patients in a way that they will understand. Methods: One-on-one structured interviews were conducted with parents/guardians and with children between the ages of 9 and 17 years at a pediatric hospital. The questionnaire evaluated the comprehension of 12 pictogram sets that described how to mask the taste of medications for children. Pictograms understood by >85% of participants were considered validated. Short-term recall was assessed by asking participants to recall the meaning of each pictogram set. Results: There were 51 participants in the study—26 (51%) were children aged 9 to 17 years and 25 (49%) were parents or guardians. Most children (54%) had health literacy levels of grade 10 or higher. Most parents and guardians (92%) had at least a high school health literacy level. Six of the 12 pictogram sets (50%) were validated. Eleven of 12 pictogram sets (92%) had a median translucency score greater than 5. All 12 pictogram sets (100%) were correctly identified at short-term recall and were therefore validated. Conclusion: The addition of validated illustrations to pharmaceutical labels can be useful to instruct on how to mask the taste of medication in certain populations. Further studies are needed to assess the clinical impact of providing illustrated information to populations with low health literacy.

scholarly journals Health Literacy Influences Heart Failure Knowledge Attainment but Not Self-Efficacy for Self-Care or Adherence to Self-Care over Time

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleda M. H. Chen ◽  
Karen S. Yehle ◽  
Nancy M. Albert ◽  
Kenneth F. Ferraro ◽  
Holly L. Mason ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Adequate Health Literacy ◽  
Health Literacy Level ◽  
Literacy Level ◽  
Inadequate Health Literacy ◽  
Over Time

Background. Inadequate health literacy may be a barrier to gaining knowledge about heart failure (HF) self-care expectations, strengthening self-efficacy for self-care behaviors, and adhering to self-care behaviors over time.Objective. To examine if health literacy is associated with HF knowledge, self-efficacy, and self-care adherence longitudinally.Methods. Prior to education, newly referred patients at three HF clinics (N=51, age:64.7±13.0years) completed assessments of health literacy, HF knowledge, self-efficacy, and adherence to self-care at baseline, 2, and 4 months. Repeated measures analysis of variance with Bonferroni-adjusted alpha levels was used to test longitudinal outcomes.Results. Health literacy was associated with HF knowledge longitudinally (P<0.001) but was not associated with self-efficacy self-care adherence. In posthoc analyses, participants with inadequate health literacy had less HF knowledge than participants with adequate (P<0.001) but not marginal (P=0.073) health literacy.Conclusions. Adequate health literacy was associated with greater HF knowledge but not self-efficacy or adherence to self-care expectations over time. If nurses understand patients’ health literacy level, they may educate patients using methods that promote understanding of concepts. Since interventions that promote self-efficacy and adherence to self-care were not associated with health literacy level, new approaches must be examined.

scholarly journals Regional heterogeneities of health literacy in China: a population-based study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenhua Li ◽  
Yongquan Tian ◽  
Shuiyuan Xiao ◽  
Zhicheng Gong ◽  
Long Qian
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Geographic Variation ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Adequate Health Literacy ◽  
Health Literacy Level ◽  
Literacy Level

Abstract Background: Few studies have described the geographic variation in health literacy in China. This study aimed to investigate the regional heterogeneities in health literacy levels in the Chinese population, in order to formulate targeted health literacy promotion strategies in different economic and cultural contexts.Methods: Multi-stage stratification, clustering, and random sampling methods were used to select 70 study sites from 25 provinces or municipalities in China in 2017. Health literacy was measured using the National Resident Health Literacy Monitoring Questionnaire. MapInfo software was used to map the geographic distribution. Multiple logistic regression was used to adjust for the factors associated with the health literacy level in the total and regional samples.Results: A total of 3,482 participants were included in the study, including 1,792 (51.5%) males and 1,690 (48.5%) females. Notable geographic variation was observed in the health literacy level. The proportion of respondents with adequate health literacy was 22.3% overall, 33.0% in the eastern region, 23.1% in the central region, and 17.6% in the western region. The proportion of adequate health literacy in the different provinces or municipalities ranged from 10.5%(Xinjiang) to 47.0%(Beijing). Being a female (odds ratio [OR]=1.360, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.153-1.605), having a higher education level (OR=1.860, 95% CI: 1.671-2.070), having a better economic status (OR=1.353, 95% CI: 1.220-1.502), having a better self-rated health status (OR=1.263, 95% CI: 1.081-1.476), and having more community health education (OR=1.192, 95% CI: 1.034-1.374) were independently associated with adequate health literacy.Conclusions: The health literacy level of Chinese people is still low, and there are heterogeneities among different regions, between urban and rural areas, and among different social groups. The methods used to improve the health literacy levels of people in different regions should be adapted to local conditions. In the central and eastern regions, low-income people are the focus of health literacy improvement efforts. Special emphasis should be placed on the degree of health knowledge publicity and the accessibility of health knowledge and skills in the central and western regions.

scholarly journals Health Literacy and Regional Heterogeneities in China: A Population-Based Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenhua Li ◽  
Yongquan Tian ◽  
Zhicheng Gong ◽  
Long Qian
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Geographic Variation ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Adequate Health Literacy ◽  
Health Literacy Level ◽  
Literacy Level

Background: Health literacy is essential to population health, yet few studies have described the geographic variation in health literacy in China. This study aimed to investigate the level of health literacy, its regional heterogeneities, as well as influencing factors of health literacy in 25 provinces or municipalities in China.Methods: The study was conducted among residents aged 15–69 years from 25 provinces or municipalities in China in 2017. Health literacy was measured using the Chinese Health Literacy Scale. MapInfo software was used to map the geographic distribution. Multiple logistic regression was used to adjust for the factors associated with the health literacy level in the overall and regional samples.Results: A total of 3,482 participants were included in the study, comprising 1,792 (51.5%) males and 1,690 (48.5%) females. Notable geographic variation was observed in health literacy levels. The proportion of respondents with adequate health literacy was 22.3% overall, 33.0% in the eastern region, 23.1% in the central region, and 17.6% in the western region. The proportion of adequate health literacy in the different provinces and municipalities ranged from 10.5% (Xinjiang) to 47.0% (Beijing). Being a female [odds ratio (OR) = 1.353; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.146–1.597], having a high education level [OR ranging from 2.794 (CI: 1.469–5.314) to 9.458 (CI: 5.251–17.036)], having a high economic status [OR ranging from 1.537 (CI: 1.248–1.891) to 1.850 (CI: 1.498–2.284)], having a good self-rated health status [OR ranging from 2.793 (CI: 1.534–5.083) to 3.003 (CI: 1.672–5.395)], and having frequent community health education (OR = 1.588; 95% CI: 1.066–2.365) were independently associated with adequate health literacy.Conclusions: The health literacy level in the 25 provinces or municipalities of China is relatively low compared to the developed countries, and there are heterogeneities among different regions, between urban and rural areas, and among different social groups. Tailored health education and promotion strategies are needed for different subgroups of residents.

scholarly journals HEALTH LITERACY: AN OVERVIEW OF THE MEDICAL SECRETARIAL TRAINING IN TURKEY

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (9) ◽  
pp. 79-92
Author(s):  
Perihan Şenel Tekin
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Average Score ◽  
Adequate Health Literacy ◽  
Quality Of Life Research ◽  
Health Literacy Level ◽  
Quality Health ◽  
Literacy Survey ◽  
Literacy Level

Background:  Health literacy has a measure of capacity to access, understand, assess, and apply health information in individuals’ decision-making processes to maintain and improve life-quality quality of life. Research is a descriptive study aiming to determine the health literacy level of medical secretary’ students who are health professionals and the influencing factors of health literacy in the future.  Method: The research was conducted between April 30 and June 1, 2018, and the study group consisted of 55 medical secretary students who study in Ankara University Vocational School of Health in Turkey. The participants were given the questionnaire which was composed of 3 sections (socio-demographic information, health status, and the Health Literacy Survey-European Union/HLS-EU scale) and 70 questions used for data collection purposes. Results: The average age of the group was 21.4±4.1. The average score of participants’ general health literacy index was calculated as 33.9±7.42 (n=55). Approximately 70% of participants (n=55) were found to have adequate health literacy. Conclusions: It is very important that the medical secretaries working as secretarial and patient orientation personnel in the health sector are health literate in terms of their own health and health service quality. Health literacy can't be considered independent of the general literacy level. Hence, in the lifelong learning process, individuals need to be supported in school and work life.

scholarly journals Regional heterogeneities of health literacy in China: a population-based study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenhua Li ◽  
Yongquan Tian ◽  
Shuiyuan Xiao ◽  
Zhicheng Gong ◽  
Long Qian
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Adequate Health Literacy ◽  
Health Literacy Level ◽  
Literacy Level

Abstract Background: Few studies described the geographic variations of health literacy in China. This study aimed to investigate the regional heterogeneities of health literacy level in Chinese population, in order to formulate targeted health literacy promotion strategies in different economic and cultural contexts.Methods: Multi-stage stratification, clustering, and random sampling methods were used to select 70 study sites from 25 provinces or municipalities in China. Health literacy was measured using the National Resident Health Literacy Monitoring Questionnaire. MapInfo software was used to map the geographic distribution. Multiple logistic regression was used to adjust for the factors associated with the health literacy level in the total and regional samples.Results: A total of 3,482 participants were included in the study, including 1,792 (51.5%) males and 1,690 (48.5%) females. A notable geographic variation was observed in the health literacy level. The proportion of respondents with adequate health literacy was 22.3%, including 33.0% in the eastern region, 23.1% in the central region, and 17.6% in the western region. The proportion of adequate health literacy in different provinces or municipalities ranged from 10.5%(Xinjiang) to 47.0%(Beijing). Being female (odds ratio [OR]=1.360, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.153-1.605), having a higher education level (OR=1.860, 95% CI: 1.671-2.070), having better economic status (OR=1.353, 95% CI: 1.220-1.502), having better self-rated health status (OR=1.263, 95% CI: 1.081-1.476), and having more community health education (OR=1.192, 95% CI: 1.034-1.374) were independently associated with adequate health literacy.Conclusions: The health literacy level of Chinese people is still low, with heterogeneities among different regions, between urban and rural areas, and among different social groups. With respect to health literacy promotion efforts, more attention should be given to behavioural changes and the continuous exploration of methods of developing healthy behaviours and lifestyles. Ways of improving the health literacy levels of people in different regions should be adapted to local conditions. Health education should be strengthened for low-income people in the central and eastern regions. Special emphasis should be placed on the intensity of health knowledge publicity and the accessibility of health knowledge and skills in the central and western regions.Keywords: Health literacy; Regional heterogeneities; Health Literacy Questionnaire

Factors Associated with Source Selection for Health Information Seeking among University Students: Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tesfahun Melese Yilma ◽  
Anushia Inthiran ◽  
Daniel Reidpath ◽  
Sylvester Olubolu Orimaye
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
University Students ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Perceived Health Status ◽  
Perceived Severity ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Health Literacy Level ◽  
Literacy Level

BACKGROUND Knowledge and skill gaps exist among people from developing and developed countries when locating and using health information. These gaps can be minimized through improved awareness of health information sources. OBJECTIVE This research study aims to assess the preferred source of health information used by university students from developing countries. METHODS A web-based survey is used as a data collection tool to gather information from a sample of 901 undergraduate students. Binary logistic regression analysis method is used to identify factors associated with sources of health information. RESULTS Results reveal that the Internet (82.8%) and television/radio (41.4%) are the primary source of health information among students from Malaysia and Ethiopia, respectively. Higher health literacy level (p = 0.04), higher perceived severity of health problems (p-value = 0.04), and poor perceived health status (p = 0.03) have a positive effect on the choice of the Internet as a primary source of health information. In addition, limited health literacy level (p = 0.03) contributed to the use of television/radio as the primary source of health information. CONCLUSIONS The Internet and television or radio are used as the primary source of health information by university students. Health literacy, perceived severity of health problems, and perceived health status are found to affect the use of the Internet as a primary source of health information. Results could help health promoters to pass their health messages via the source that university students prefer.

The impact of health literacy on self-medication: a cross-sectional outpatient study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suhaib M Muflih ◽  
Hadeel N Bashir ◽  
Yousef S Khader ◽  
Reema A Karasneh
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Literacy Practices ◽  
Self Administration ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Adequate Health Literacy ◽  
Health Literacy Level ◽  
Literacy Level ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Although health literacy practices have been increasingly recommended in public health literature, there is a lack of studies that examine the relationships between health literacy and self-medication. Background This research project aims to measure and evaluate the impact of health literacy on self-medication and to achieve a better understating of patients’ behaviors. Methods A cross-sectional approach was conducted and participants were recruited outpatient clinics through convenience sampling. Health literacy was measured by Single Item Literacy Screener. Results A total of 194 participants agreed to participate (63.9% were females). The results showed that more than half (57.2%) had adequate health literacy. Almost 30% of the participants were over the age of 50. The prevalence of self-medication was 74.2%. Nearly, two-thirds of the total participants reported self-administration of antibiotics. There was a significant relationship between the overall health literacy level and practice of self-medication. Conclusions Improving the health literacy level of the public can reduce inappropriate self-medication, especially the self-medication with antibiotics, which represented a high prevalence situation in our sample. Appropriate reading skills are important for accessing health information, using health care services, and achieving desirable health outcomes.

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