scholarly journals Health literacy, culture and Pacific peoples in Aotearoa, New Zealand: A review

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Losi Sa'u Lilo ◽  
El-Shadan Tautolo ◽  
Melody Smith
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Normal Blood ◽  
Pacific People ◽  
Low Health Literacy ◽  
Cultural Determinants

The social and cultural determinants of health among Pacific people must be addressed to understand the underlying factors related to poor health outcomes. Such factors may include (but are not be limited to) culture, religion, education, socioeconomic status and health literacy. One study, using the lens of Pacific culture, found that almost 90% of Pacific males and females aged 15 years and over have low health literacy. Individuals with low health literacy are less likely to manage ill health, seek professional medical assistance or interpret nutrition related information.  It is possible that the high rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as a significant issue in the Pacific population, including amongst Pacific mothers, are in some part associated with low levels of health literacy, which in turn link to cultural determinants of health. Findings from this review show that inadequate health literacy was consistent among adult females, particularly older adults of low socioeconomic status, lower level of education, non-English speakers and adults with compromised health status. Further, culture may play a role in attainment of adequate health literacy. These individuals were more likely to report worse chronic physical conditions, such as diabetes, including lack of knowledge of their condition such as the inability to identify normal blood sugar levels, the range of a normal blood pressure or how to self-manage hypoglycaemia. Public health practitioners should apply effective communication using a culturally and ethnically tailored approach to support Pacific peoples to understand health messages, improve health behaviours and health status. The author reviewed 33 papers on the issue of health literacy definitions, measurement and determinants; Pacific peoples and NCDs; and discussed it in the light of a cultural determinants’ approach.

scholarly journals E-health and health literacy of young adult Ukrainian female immigrants and Polish counterparts

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Krasko ◽  
J Marianowska ◽  
M Duplaga
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
University Education ◽  
Fisher Exact Test ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Ehealth Literacy

Abstract Background According to recent projections, even 10% of Polish gross domestic product is contributed by Ukrainian immigrants. There is also a considerable number of Ukrainians continuing university education in Poland. The level of health literacy in Ukrainian society has not been studied so far. The aim of the study was the comparison of health literacy (HL) and e-health literacy (eHL) of young adult Ukrainian (UA) women with their Polish (PL) counterparts Methods A snowball technique was used to recruit a sample of UA women working or studying in Poland to the Internet-based survey. The questionnaire used in the study consisted of the 16-item European HL Survey questionnaire (HLS-EU-16), eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS), the set of the questions asking about health behaviours (HB), self-assessment of health status (HS) and items exploring sociodemographic variables. For comparison, the data of an age-matched sample of 100 respondents was extracted from the online survey performed in a representative sample of PL women. Results The mean age (standard deviation, SD) of 57 UA respondents was 20.23 (1.78) years and in Polish sample 20.25 (1.79). HL did not differ between both groups (11.06 (4.22) vs 11.44 (4.34), respectively, p = 0.53), but eHL was significantly lower in UA group (25.91 (5.36) vs 28.17 (5.37), U Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.01). Only 58.5% of UA respondents vs 80.5% of PL ones assessed their HS as at least good (Fisher exact test, p < 0.001). The rates of active smoking (34.6% vs. 35.0%, p = 0.55), using e-cigarettes (35.3% vs 34.0%, p = 0.99), frequent alcohol consumption (26.9% vs. 20%, p = 0.41), and intensive physical activity (49.0% vs. 38.0%, p = 0.22) did not differ between study groups. Conclusions Young UA women show lower eHL than PL counterparts. Although HL and HB in both groups did not differ significantly, UA respondents have assessed their HS much lower than PL participants. Key messages E-health literacy and self-assessed health status were significantly lower among young Ukrainian than among Polish women. Both groups did not differ for health literacy and health behaviours.

Association of Health Literacy and Socioeconomic Status with Oral Health Among Older Adults in Ghana: A Moderation Analysis of Social Capital

2021 ◽  
pp. 073346482110283
Author(s):  
Padmore Adusei Amoah ◽  
Adwoa Owusuaa Koduah ◽  
Razak M. Gyasi ◽  
Kingsley Atta Nyamekye ◽  
David R. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Oral Health Status ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Relationship

We examined the moderating role of social capital (SC) in the association of socioeconomic status (SES) and health literacy (HL) with oral health (OH) status and the intentions to use OH services (IUOHS) among older Ghanaians. Data were derived from a cross-sectional survey ( n = 522) and analyzed using ordinal and binary logistic regressions. Bridging SC moderated the relationship between HL and oral health status ( B = 0. 0.117, p < .05) and the association of SES with IUOHS (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.144; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.027, 3.599]). Trust modified the association between HL and IUOHS (AOR = 1.051; 95% CI = [1.014, 3.789]). Bonding SC moderated the association between SES and oral health status (B = 0.180, p < .05). However, bonding SC negatively modified the association between SES and IUOHS (AOR = 0.961; 95% CI = [0.727, 0.997]). Cognitive and structural SC modify the associations of SES and HL with OH and IUOHS.

Health Literacy and Shared Decision Making for Prostate Cancer Patients with Low Socioeconomic Status

2001 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 684-691 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon P. Kim ◽  
Sara J. Knight ◽  
Cecilia Tomori ◽  
Kathleen M. Colella ◽  
Richard A. Schoor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Shared Decision Making ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Low Socioeconomic

In search of ‘low health literacy’: Threshold vs. gradient effect of literacy on health status and mortality

2010 ◽  
Vol 70 (9) ◽  
pp. 1335-1341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael S. Wolf ◽  
Joseph Feinglass ◽  
Jason Thompson ◽  
David W. Baker
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Gradient Effect ◽  
Low Health Literacy

scholarly journals Physician Assessment of Social Determinants of Health: A Necessary Component in Improving Care of Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emaan Chaudry
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Social History ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Sexual History ◽  
History Of ◽  
Asking Questions ◽  
The Government

The importance of building a therapeutic relationship between a physician and a patient is taught early on in a medical student's training, specifically through the practice of obtaining a patient history. This process consists of gathering information in four main categories: the history of the present illness, personal social history, past medical history, and family history. Each piece of information obtained within these categories is vital in ensuring a patient receives appropriate and effective care. Specifically, a social history consists of asking about a patient's relationship status, support system, home environment, interests, exercise, nutritional habits, substance use, and sexual history. To complete a successful and full social history, one should try to address the social determinants of health. As per the Government of Canada’s website, social determinants of health “refer to a specific group of social and economic factors within the broader determinants of health. These relate to an individual’s place in society such as income, education or employment” [1]. Consequently, a critical component of a complete social history interview should be investigating a patients socioeconomic status. Low socioeconomic status (LSES) has been found to play a role in incidence and susceptibility to a variety of health conditions. As such, I believe that screening for and asking questions pertaining to the socioeconomic status of a patient should be considered a vital and essential component of every patient assessment.

scholarly journals Social Determinants of Myocardial Infarction Risk and Survival: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Steven S. Coughlin ◽  
Steven S. Coughlin ◽  
Lufei Young
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
Immigration Status ◽  
Increased Risk

Social determinants of health that have been examined in relation to myocardial infarction incidence and survival include socioeconomic status (income, education), neighbourhood disadvantage, immigration status, social support, and social network. Other social determinants of health include geographic factors such as neighbourhood access to health services. Socioeconomic factors influence risk of myocardial infarction. Myocardial infarction incidence rates tend to be inversely associated with socioeconomic status. In addition, studies have shown that low socioeconomic status is associated with increased risk of poorer survival. There are well-documented disparities in myocardial infarction survival by socioeconomic status, race, education, and census-tract-level poverty. The results of this review indicate that social determinants such as neighbourhood disadvantage, immigration status, lack of social support, and social isolation also play an important role in myocardial infarction risk and survival. To address these social determinants and eliminate disparities, effective interventions are needed that account for the social and environmental contexts in which heart attack patients live and are treated.

scholarly journals Social support mediates the association of health literacy and depression among racially/ethnically diverse smokers with low socioeconomic status

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 1169-1179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana W. Stewart ◽  
Lorraine R. Reitzel ◽  
Virmarie Correa-Fernández ◽  
Miguel Ángel Cano ◽  
Claire E. Adams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Ethnically Diverse ◽  
Low Socioeconomic

Contradictory explanatory models of doctors and ischemic heart patients with low health literacy

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Rasmussen ◽  
C Overgaard
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Explanatory Models ◽  
Ischemic Heart ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
Heart Patients ◽  
Socially Disadvantaged ◽  
Low Health Literacy ◽  
The Social

Abstract Background Health literacy has been used to explain the social inequalities in ischemic heart disease that exists globally. However, most conceptualizations of health literacy employ an isolated focus on the patient's cognitive abilities without considering the social context. By using the cultural health capital framework, this paper aims at exploring how differences in social dispositions influence the interaction between doctors and ischemic heart patients with low health literacy and low socioeconomic status. Methods The paper is based on 30 qualitative interviews with Danish ischemic heart patients with low health literacy and low socioeconomic status and supplementary, contextual observations. The data collection was nationwide and carried out between October 2018 and August 2019. Results The findings showed that the patients and the doctors derived from different social spheres, which meant that they had developed dissimilar habitus and therefore used different explanatory models to understand and articulate the patient's problem. The doctors were primarily oriented towards the biomedical understanding of the malfunctioning of the body and therefore less aware of the patients' psychosocial illness experience. For the patients, these contradictions resulted in feelings of not being acknowledged, lack of trust in the healthcare system and disruption of treatment. Conclusions The findings suggest that to understand barriers for treatment of socially disadvantaged ischemic heart patients it is not only relevant to look at the patient's individual cognitive abilities but also to explore class-based contradictions in explanatory models between the patients and doctors. Key messages Health literacy should be understood as something embedded in the interplay between social structures and interpersonal dynamics. Contradictions in explanatory models may help explain barriers for treatment of socially disadvantaged ischemic heart patients.

scholarly journals Self Rated Health among Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Norway – a cross sectional study

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Haj-Younes ◽  
E M Strømme ◽  
W Hasha ◽  
E Abildsnes ◽  
L T Fadnes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Syrian Refugees ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Low Health Literacy ◽  
Long Time ◽  
In Transit

Abstract Background Refugees are often exposed to various stressors before, during and after migration that can cause adverse health effects. Prior research indicates that the health status of refugees is a significant factor in determining their success in resettlement. This study aims to assess self-rated health (SRH) and factors associated with SRH among Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Norway. Methods The study uses a cross-sectional design with data from a self-administered survey among 827 adult Syrian asylum seekers of whom 506 were recruited in Lebanon, and 321 in Norway. Inclusion criteria were subjects who self-identified as Syrian nationals above the age of 16. The survey was conducted in 2017 and 2018 in collaboration with International Organization of Migration in Lebanon and through mandatory educational activities in Norway. Data analysis was performed for the main outcome self-rated health (SRH), a validated health status indicator, which was dichotomized into “good” and “poor” SRH. Odds Ratios for poor SRH were estimated adjusting for age, gender and country of residence. Results A total of 827 of 972 (85%) who were invited answered the questionnaire. The mean age was 33 years and 74% were men. Factors associated with good SRH were being Kurdish (AOR: 0.48 (0.23 to 0.97)) compared to Arabic ethnicity, being married (AOR 0.54 (0.29 to 0.99)) compared to being single, migrating alone (AOR 0.59 (0.37 to 0.96)) compared to co-migration and having low health literacy level (AOR: 0.64 (0.42 to 0.93)). In contrast, poor SRH was significantly increased with long time in transit country/ies (AOR 1.49 (1.07 to 2.06)) and with older age (age 30-34 AOR 3.2, age 35-39 AOR 2.2, age 40 + AOR 2.6) compared to age group 16-24. Conclusions Older refugees and those who stay long time in transit are at great risk of reporting poor SRH. Some of the factors associated with better health, like Kurdish ethnicity, low health literacy or migrating alone, deserve further research. Key messages Age and long stay in transit is associated with poor SRH among Syrian refugees. Demographic background and migrant related factors should be taken into account when planning refugee resettlement and healthcare provision.

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