scholarly journals Health Literacy: Current Status and Challenges in the Work of Family Doctors in Bosnia and Herzegovina

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 1324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nevena Todorovic ◽  
Aleksandra Jovic-Vranes ◽  
Bosiljka Djikanovic ◽  
Natasa Pilipovic-Broceta ◽  
Nadja Vasiljevic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Bosnia And Herzegovina ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Poor Health ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Family Doctors ◽  
Health Factors

Health literacy (HL) has become an important area of research. The aim of this study was to evaluate the HL of primary healthcare patients in the Republic of Srpska (RS), Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) and to identify socioeconomic and health factors associated with HL. This cross-sectional study among 768 patients was conducted in two healthcare centres between March and May 2017, using the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (S-TOFHLA). Analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics (a chi-squared test and logistic regression). Inadequate and marginal HL was found in 34,6% of respondents. Socioeconomic and self-reported health factors were significantly related to HL. An age of 55 years and over (OR 1.02), living in a rural environment (OR 2.25), being divorced (OR 3.32), being insufficiently physically active (OR 1.29), having poor income (OR 1.96), having more than three chronic diseases (OR 1.94), and poor health (OR 1.59) were significantly corelated with inadequate and marginal HL. The results of our study indicate that a low level of HL is related to the elderly, having a divorce, having a rural residence, poor income, having more than three chronic diseases, poor health, and insufficient physical activity. Further evaluation, monitoring, and activities to improve HL are of great importance for patients’ health outcomes.

scholarly journals Assessing Health Literacy of Elderly with Chronic Diseases during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Makassar City, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 113
Author(s):  
Bahtiar Bahtiar ◽  
Wiwi Saputri ◽  
Rostika Salenda Paseleng ◽  
Muh Akbar ◽  
Restu Abady
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Short Form ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Literacy Level ◽  
Research Population ◽  
Descriptive Survey

The elderly are vulnerable to experience health problems and physical deterioration characterized by high rates of chronic diseases among the elderly. Health literacy ability becomes crucial for the elderly with chronic diseases to treat and maintain their health. This study was aimed to describe the literacy levels of the elderly with chronic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic in Makassar. The method of study was a descriptive survey with a cross-sectional study. The research population is elderly with chronic diseases in Makassar city, and the samples are 124 elderly with age ≥60 years old and suffering chronic diseases more than six months in two selected sub-district. The research was conducted a cross-sectional survey, and descriptive univariate data analysis was used. The instrument was used Indonesia's health literacy short-form survey questionnaire (HLS-EU-SQ10-IDN). The result of this study reveals that the health literacy levels vary: insufficient criteria by 33.99%, problematic criteria by 49.2%, sufficient criteria by 16.1%, and perfect criteria by 0.8%. The results prove that the health literacy level of the elderly with chronic diseases is insufficient. This study concluded that the dominant level of the health literacy of the elderly with chronic diseases is inadequate and problematic. Health education program to improve their literacy is necessarily improved during the COVID-19 outbreak

scholarly journals A cross-sectional analysis of health literacy: patient- versus family doctor-reported and associations with self-efficacy and chronic disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Stock ◽  
Sibel Altin ◽  
Farah Nawabi ◽  
Daniele Civello ◽  
Arim Shukri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Family Doctor ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Family Doctors ◽  
Average Family ◽  
Patient Reported

Abstract Background Adequate health literacy (HL) levels contribute to good health outcomes and successful disease self-management in patients with chronic disease. Hence, it is essential that family doctors recognize patients with inadequate HL in need of additional support. This study had two aims: (1) to assess and compare patient self-reported versus family doctor-rated HL estimates, and (2) to explore associations between patient-reported HL, self-efficacy and chronic diseases. Methods Participants in this cross-sectional survey were recruited through general practices in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Patient self-reported HL was measured using the European Health Literacy Survey-16. Family doctor-rated HL was measured with an adapted version of this instrument. Using crosstabulations patient-reported and family doctor-rated HL estimates were compared for 346 patient-family doctor pairs. Associations between HL, self-efficacy and chronic disease were investigated using regression analyses. Results Patient-reported and family doctor-rated HL estimates were concordant in 38% of all cases. On average family doctors rated their patients’ HL lower than patients rated their own HL. The lower average family doctor ratings were more pronounced when patients were older, male and had more than one chronic disease. Female family doctors rated HL of male patients lower than their male colleagues. Patient reported HL had a significant positive association with self-efficacy. Mediation analysis provided support that self-efficacy acts as mediator between HL and the number of chronic diseases. Conclusions Our study findings indicate a significant discrepancy between patients’ self-reported HL and externally rated HL by family doctors. A more systematic utilization of HL screeners might help reduce this discrepancy. At the same time, consideration should be given to enhancing communication training for family doctors and addressing critical HL skills in patient education.

scholarly journals The effects of disease-related knowledge on illness perception and psychological status of patients with COVID-19 in Hunan, China

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-30
Author(s):  
Man Ye ◽  
Shi-hao Chen ◽  
Xu-ting Li ◽  
Jin Huang ◽  
Ran-ran Mei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Illness Perception ◽  
Self Care ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Psychological Status ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Average Score ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To assess the current status of disease-related knowledge and to analyze the relationship among the general condition, illness perception, and psychological status of patients with COVID-19. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 118 patients using convenience sampling. The general questionnaire, disease-related knowledge questionnaire of COVID-19, Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R), and Profile of Mood States (POMS) were used to measure the current status of participants. RESULTS: The overall average score of the disease-related knowledge of patients with COVID-19 was (79.19 ± 14.25), the self-care situation was positively correlated with knowledge of prevention and control (r=0.265, P=0.004) and total score of disease-related knowledge (r= 0.206, P= 0.025); the degree of anxiety was negatively correlated with the knowledge of diagnosis and treatment (r= -0.182, P= 0.049). The score of disease-related knowledge was negatively correlated with negative cognition (volatility, consequences, emotional statements) and negative emotions (tension, fatigue, depression) (P<0.05); positively correlated with positive cognition (disease coherence) and positive emotion (self-esteem) (P<0.05). CONCLUSION It was recommended that we should pay more attention to the elderly and low-income groups, and increase the knowledge about diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 and self-care in the future health education for patients.

Health Literacy of Parents and Carers in a Regional Community: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 0272684X2110225
Author(s):  
Matthew J. Leach ◽  
Sue Nichols ◽  
Sven Trenholm ◽  
Martin Jones
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthy Development ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Australian Community ◽  
Literacy Scores ◽  
The Impact

Background Supporting a child’s healthy development is determined, in part, by a parent’s ability to seek, access, interpret and effectively utilize health information. This aspect of parenting draws on a set of skills referred to as health literacy. Objective To assess the level of health literacy among parents/carers in a regional South Australian community. Methods Parents/carers of primary school-aged children, residing in Whyalla, South Australia, were invited to complete the 13-item All Aspects of Health Literacy Survey. Results 155 parents/carers completed the survey (79% mothers). Most participants were English-speaking (97%), employed (62%) and had 2–3 children (62%), with 52% completing tertiary education. Median total health literacy scores were mostly in the moderate-high range (median 27, IQR 26,27), as were critical health literacy scores (median 7, IQR 6,8). Higher scores were reported for functional health literacy (median 8, IQR 7,9), communicative health literacy (median 9, IQR 8,9) and empowerment health literacy (median 4, IQR 3,5). Conclusions Our findings reveal modest levels of health literacy among a sample of parents/carers of primary school-aged children in a regional South Australian community. Further work is needed to understand the differential effect of parental health literacy on child health outcomes, and the types of strategies that may mitigate the impact of these barriers on a child’s healthy development.

scholarly journals HEALTH LITERACY OF INDIVIDUALS UNDERGOING DIALYSIS THERAPY

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jéssica Naylla de Melo Bezerra ◽  
Sara Rebeca de Oliveira Lessa ◽  
Marcelo Francisco do Ó ◽  
Givaneide Oliveira de Andrade Luz ◽  
Anna Karla de Oliveira Tito Borba
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
P Value ◽  
Functional Health Literacy ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Adequate Health Literacy

ABSTRACT Objective: to assess the functional levels of health literacy in individuals undergoing dialysis. Method: a cross-sectional study with 42 patients of the Nephrology Unit of a public hospital in Recife, Brazil, from May to August 2016. Data were collected through scripted interviews and chart analysis. Functional health literacy was measured using the Brazilian version of the Short-Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS®) software, version 18.0, with a univariate analysis to verify the association between independent variables and functional health literacy levels using Fisher's exact test. Results: 80.9% of the patients presented inadequate health literacy and 19.1% presented adequate health literacy. The number of correct answers remained between 0-18 in the reading comprehension and in the scheduling appointment card. Among the independent variables, only marital status (p-value=0.018) and personal income (p-value=0.009) were factors associated with the worst scores in the test, indicating that these variables influence the increase in inadequate literacy. Conclusion: the prevalence of inadequate functional literacy was high, reflecting difficulties in understanding and processing health information, which may interfere with therapeutic management and self-care.

scholarly journals Differential Item Functioning Related to Age in the Reading Subtest of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond L. Ownby ◽  
Drenna Waldrop-Valverde
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Differential Item Functioning ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
Functional Health Literacy ◽  
Response Format ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Item Functioning

Differential item functioning (DIF) occurs when items in a measure perform in ways that are different for members of a target group when the different performance is not related to the individual’s overall ability to be assessed. DIF may arise for a number of reasons but is often evaluated in order to ensure that tests and measures are fair evaluations of a group’s abilities. Based on observations when administering the test, we developed the hypothesis that some items on the reading comprehension subtest of the Test of Functional Health Literacy (TOFHLA) might be differentially more difficult for older adults and the elderly due to its use of the cloze response format, in which the participant is required to determine what word, when placed in a blank space in a sentence, will ensure that the sentence is intelligible. Others have suggested that the cloze response format may make demands on verbal fluency, an ability that is reduced with the increasing age. Our analyses show that age-related DIF may present in a nearly one-half of reading comprehension items of the TOFHLA. Results of this measure in older persons should be interpreted cautiously.

scholarly journals Trends, Coverage and Influencing Determinants of Influenza Vaccination in the Elderly: A Population-Based National Survey in Spain (2006–2017)

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 327
Author(s):  
Silvia Portero de la Cruz ◽  
Jesús Cebrino
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Public Health

Influenza is a significant public health problem and the elderly are at a greater risk of contracting the disease. The vaccination coverage of the elderly is below the Spanish target of 65% for each influenza season. The aims of this study were to report the coverage of influenza vaccination in Spain among the population aged ≥65 years and high-risk groups for suffering chronic diseases, to analyze the time trends from 2006 to 2017 and to identify the factors which affect vaccination coverage. A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted including 20,753 non-institutionalized individuals aged ≥65 years who had participated in the Spanish National Health Surveys in 2006, 2011/2012, and 2017. Sociodemographic, health-related variables, and influenza vaccination data were used. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the variables associated with influenza vaccination. Influenza vaccination coverage was 60%. By chronic condition, older people with high cholesterol levels and cancer had the lowest vaccination coverage (62.41% and 60.73%, respectively). This coverage declined from 2006 to 2017 in both groups. Higher influenza vaccination was associated with males, Spanish nationality, normal social support perceived, polypharmacy, worse perceived health, participation in other preventive measures, and increasing age and the number of chronic diseases.

scholarly journals Polypharmacy, chronic diseases and nutritional markers in community-dwelling older

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 818-829 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Aparecida Silveira ◽  
Luana Dalastra ◽  
Valéria Pagotto
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Daily Consumption ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Percentage Body Fat ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Feminine Gender ◽  
Nutritional Surveillance ◽  
Cross Sectional Design

Polypharmacy is a common practice among the elderly, but few studies have evaluated its association with nutritional markers. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of polypharmacy and its association with nutritional markers, chronic diseases, sociodemographic and health variables. This research is part of the Study Elderly/Goiânia, which evaluated 418 elderly community in a cross-sectional design. Polypharmacy was defined as the use of five or more concomitant medications. The following nutritional markers were investigated: BMI, waist circumference, percentage body fat, weight gain and loss, use of diet, daily consumption of fruits, vegetables, skimmed and whole milk. Multivariate analysis was performed using hierarchical Poisson regression, with significance level set at 5%. The prevalence of polypharmacy was 28% (95%CI 23.1 - 32.5), with a significant association with feminine gender, age range 75 - 79 years, eutrophic nutritional status and obesity, use of diet, poor self-rated health and presence of two, three or more chronic diseases. The high prevalence of polypharmacy and its association with nutritional markers and chronic diseases call the attention for the need of nutritional surveillance and monitoring in the elderly.

scholarly journals Health Literacy in Female – Association with Socioeconomic Factors and Effects on Reproductive Health

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-132
Author(s):  
Milena Maricic ◽  
Radmila Amanovic Curuvija ◽  
Milos Stepovic
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Social Action ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
General Information ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Wide Range

AbstractThe aim of the study is to assess the health literacy of women who are using health services within the Gynecology Obstetric Clinic “Narodni Front” in Belgrade. Testing of health literacy was conducted as a cross-sectional study in the period October-November 2012. As instruments of research the following questionnaires are used: Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults and General information questionnaire of respondents who referred to the demographic, social and economic characteristics of respondents, self-assessment of health, use of health services, health knowledge and behavior in the area of reproductive health. Inadequate health literacy level is registered in every ten respondents. The education level of the respondents proved to be a significant predictor of health literacy. Demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the patients (age, occupation, marital status) as well as self-evaluation of the health status were not significantly related to the health literacy. Health literacy respondents did not significantly dependent on risk behaviors related to reproductive health. The level of health literacy is consistent with the knowledge of subjects in the field of protection of reproductive health. Health literacy as the ability to function within the health care system is equally certain by individual characteristics and skills, characteristics of the health and education systems as well as a wide range of social and cultural factors. Health literacy is more systematic than individual problem, so it requires a broader social action.

LIVING AND HEALTH CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY AMONG ELDERLY

2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
B.F. DO NASCIMENTO JACINTO DE SOUZA ◽  
L. MARÍN-LEON
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Eating Behaviors ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Health Related

Background: The epidemiological and nutritional transition processes in the last decades underlie the rising trend of obesity in the elderly and is related to increased risk of chronic non-communicable diseases and decreased functional status. Objective: To analyze the association of demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle and health-related factors with overweight and obesity in elderly. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Carried out in Campinas-São Paulo, Brazil, in 2011. Participants: 452 non-institutionalized elderly (aged ≥60 years), half were users of a government-run soup kitchen and the other half were neighbors of the same sex. Results:Overweight frequency (BMI ≥25 and <30 kg/m2) was 44.5% and obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) was 21.7%. In the multiple multinomial logistic regression model adjusted for sex, age group and economic class, there was greater chance of overweight among those that reported dyslipidemia; those that reported arthritis/ arthrosis/rheumatism and that once or more per week replaced supper by a snack were more likely to be obese. Elderly who did not leave home daily and reported diabetes had higher chance of overweight and obesity. Conclusions: Overweight and obesity are associated with worse living and health-related conditions, such as physical inactivity, changes in eating behaviors, and chronic diseases. Public health policies should encourage regular physical activity and healthy eating behaviors, focusing on traditional diet, through nutritional education, in order to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity and chronic diseases.

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