Functional Health Literacy: Psychometric Properties of the Newest Vital Sign for Portuguese Adolescents (NVS-PTeen)

Self-management of health requires skills to obtain, process, understand, and use health-related information. Assessment of adolescents’ functional health literacy requires valid, reliable, and low-burden tools. The main objective of this study was to adapt and study the psychometric properties of the Newest Vital Sign for the Portuguese adolescents’ population (NVS-PTeen). Classic psychometric indicators of reliability and validity were combined with item response theory (IRT) analyses in a cross-sectional survey, complemented with a 3-month test-retest assessment. The NVS-PTeen was self-administered to students enrolled in grades 8 to 12 (12 to 17 years old) in a school setting. Overall, 386 students (191 girls) from 16 classes of the same school participated in the study (mean age = 14.5; SD = 1.5). Internal reliability of the NVS-PTeen was α = 0.60. The NVS-PTeen total score was positively and significantly correlated with Portuguese (r = 0.28) and mathematics scores (r = 0.31), school years (r = 0.31), and age (r = 0.19). Similar to the original scale (for the U.S.), the NVS-PTeen is composed of two dimensions, reading-related literacy and numeracy. Temporal reliability is adequate, though with a learning effect. IRT analyses revealed differences in difficulty and discriminative capacity among items, all with adequate outfit and infit values. Results showed that the NVS-PTeen is valid and reliable, sensible to inter-individual educational differences, and adequate for regular screening of functional health literacy in adolescents.

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Measuring the functional health literacy in the adult population: a review of methods and applicability evaluation of the Newest Vital Sign test for the Russian population

Profilakticheskaya meditsina ◽

10.17116/profmed202023062126 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 (6) ◽

pp. 126

Author(s):

M.V. Lopatina ◽

M.V. Popovich ◽

N.S. Karamnova ◽

A.V. Kontsevaya ◽

O.M. Drapkina

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Vital Sign ◽

Adult Population ◽

Russian Population ◽

Functional Health ◽

Sign Test ◽

Functional Health Literacy ◽

Newest Vital Sign ◽

Applicability Evaluation

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Cultural Adaptation of Health Literacy Measures: Translation Validation of the Newest Vital Sign in Arabic-Speaking Parents of Children With Type 1 Diabetes in Kuwait

The Science of Diabetes Self-Management and Care ◽

10.1177/0145721721996309 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 47 (2) ◽

pp. 164-172

Author(s):

Dalia Al-Abdulrazzaq ◽

Abdullah Al-Taiar ◽

Muneera Al-Haddad ◽

Abeer Al-Tararwa ◽

Nabeela Al-Zanati ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Type 1 Diabetes ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Internal Consistency ◽

Vital Sign ◽

Functional Health ◽

Inverse Association ◽

Functional Health Literacy ◽

Predictive Tool ◽

Newest Vital Sign

Purpose The purpose of the study was to assess the feasibility of use and reliability of the Arabic version of the Newest Vital Sign (NVS-Ar) in parents of children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Methods The final translated version of NVS-Ar was administered to 175 adult caregivers of children with T1D who are native Arabic speakers. The association between NVS-Ar scores for the parents/legal guardians and A1C for their children was assessed. The internal consistency was evaluated by Cronbach’s α, and reliability was assessed by test-retest method. Results The median (interquartile range) score was 4.0 (3-5). The internal consistency of the NVS-Ar was moderate (α = .58). The intraclass correlation coefficient was .61. There was no correlation between NVS-Ar score and A1C (Spearman’s ρ = .055; P = .62). Furthermore, there was significant inverse association between adequate health literacy and optimal glycemic control among the children, which remained evident even after adjusting for the duration of T1D, age, or education of the parents/guardians. However, it lost statistical significance after adjustment for treatment regimen. Conclusion Study findings indicate that the NVS is unlikely to be a predictive tool for functional health literacy in Arabic settings and that there is a need to properly translate and validate other tools such as the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults or, alternatively, to develop a reliable tool.

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Psychometric properties of an Arabic-language health literacy assessment scale for adolescents (HAS-A-AR) in Palestine

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034943 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. e034943

Author(s):

Mohammed B A Sarhan ◽

Harry S Shannon ◽

Rika Fujiya ◽

Masamine Jimba ◽

Rita Giacaman

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Arabic Language ◽

Arab Countries ◽

Assessment Scale ◽

Functional Health ◽

Functional Health Literacy ◽

Literacy Assessment ◽

Cronbach’S Alpha ◽

Cronbach's Alpha

ObjectivesHealth literacy research in Palestine is limited, and a locally validated tool for use among adolescents has been unavailable until now. Therefore, this study aimed to adapt health literacy assessment scale for adolescents (HAS-A) into Arabic language (HAS-A-AR) and Palestinian context and to investigate its psychometric properties.DesignWe conducted a cross-sectional household survey using a stratified random sample and household face-to-face interviews.Setting and participantsWe conducted 1200 interviews with sixth to ninth graders in the Ramallah and al-Bireh district of the West Bank, Palestine in 2017.MethodsWe translated and adapted HAS-A to be sensitive to the Palestinian context and tested its psychometric properties. We evaluated face and content validity during the back-translation process and checked for construct validity through exploratory factor analysis (EFA). We tested for internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha, MacDonald’s omega test and the greatest lower bound (GLB). Furthermore, we calculated the scale’s average inter-item correlation.ResultsEFA revealed that HAS-A-AR has a similar structure to the original HAS-A. It extracted three factors (communication, confusion and functional health literacy) whose eigenvalues were >1. Together they explained 57% of the total variance. The proportions of adolescents with high levels of communication, confusion and functional health literacy were 45%, 68% and 80%, respectively. Cronbach’s alpha, MacDonald’s omega and the GLB values for communication subscale were 0.87, 0.88 and 0.90, and they were 0.78, 0.77 and 0.79 for confusion subscale, while they were 0.77, 0.77 and 0.80, respectively, for functional healthy literacy subscale. The average inter-item correlation for the subscales ranged between 0.36 and 0.59.ConclusionHAS-A-AR is a valid and reliable health literacy measuring instrument with appropriate psychometric properties. HAS-A-AR is currently available for use among adolescents in Palestine and the surrounding Arab countries with similar characteristics as Palestine, including language, culture and political instability.

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Health Literacy and Diabetes Knowledge: A Nationwide Survey in a Multi-Ethnic Population

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18179316 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (17) ◽

pp. 9316

Author(s):

P. V. Asharani ◽

Jue Hua Lau ◽

Kumarasan Roystonn ◽

Fiona Devi ◽

Wang Peizhi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Chronic Conditions ◽

Functional Health ◽

Bivariate Analysis ◽

Functional Health Literacy ◽

Unhealthy Lifestyle ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Inadequate Health Literacy

Health literacy is a key determinant of the public health and health climate of the nation. This study examined the functional health literacy of the nation, factors associated with health literacy, and its relationship with diabetes recognition. This cross-sectional survey recruited participants (N = 2895) who were 18 years and above from a population registry through disproportionate stratified sampling. The Brief Health Literacy Screen and other questionnaires were administered through face-to-face interviews, in one of the four national languages (English, Chinese, Malay or Tamil). The majority (80.5%) had adequate functional health literacy and were able to recognise symptoms of diabetes correctly (83.5% overall; 83.7% and 82.2% in those with adequate and inadequate health literacy, respectively). Those with inadequate health literacy had a higher incidence of chronic conditions (p < 0.001) compared to those with adequate health literacy in bivariate analysis. The majority of the sample had sufficient levels of physical activity (83.3%), and more than half reported an unhealthy lifestyle (57.4%). Older age, Chinese ethnicity, those who were employed, with lower education (secondary or below), and were married had significantly higher odds of inadequate health literacy. Health literacy was not associated with lifestyle, physical activity, chronic conditions and diabetes recognition. Health literacy interventions should focus on the disadvantaged social groups for improving their health literacy.

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Health literacy status among pregnant women in a Brazilian conditional cash transfer programme: a cross-sectional investigation

Research Society and Development ◽

10.33448/rsd-v9i11.9650 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. e4979119650

Author(s):

Álex Moreira Herval ◽

Fabiana Vargas-Ferreira ◽

Efigênia Ferreira e Ferreira ◽

Viviane Elisângela Gomes ◽

Andréa Maria Duarte Vargas

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Health Education ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Conditional Cash Transfer ◽

Cash Transfer ◽

Functional Health ◽

Functional Health Literacy ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Literacy Survey

Objective: To investigate the overall score and the variables associated with health literacy of pregnant women benefited from a conditional cash transfer programme. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with pregnant women benefited from a Brazilian conditional cash transfer programme. We used a validated short health literacy survey developed for research on public health and health promotion. The level of health literacy (high or low) was considered a determining variable. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analysis was applied to the data collected. Results: Only the two following variables were associated with health literacy: participation in health education activities and the choice of mothers to seek advice regarding pregnancy. Functional health literacy was higher when pregnant women participated in health education activities. Critical health literacy was higher when pregnant women sought advice from their mothers, friends, and other family members. Conclusion: Health education and a social network of pregnant women should be part of prenatal care.

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The Online Use of the Newest Vital Sign in Adolescents

Clinical Nursing Research ◽

10.1177/10547738211021423 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 105477382110214

Author(s):

Elizabeth Perry Caldwell ◽

Erin Elizabeth Killingsworth

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Adolescent Health ◽

Vital Sign ◽

Internal Consistency Reliability ◽

Need To Evaluate ◽

Newest Vital Sign ◽

Clinically Significant ◽

Literacy Research ◽

Insight Into

Seventy percent of premature adult deaths are caused by adolescent behaviors. Data suggests that health literacy may influence adolescent behaviors. However, adolescent health literacy research is scarce; and, timely, more robust data is imperative. Nonetheless, many potential study samples are currently inaccessible due to the pandemic. Thus, there is an immediate need to evaluate online adolescent health literacy research modalities to further the science. The purpose of this study is to explore the psychometric properties of online administration of the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) health literacy instrument in adolescents. A total of 105 adolescents completed the study via Qualtrics. Internal consistency reliability of the online NVS was good (α = .77). There was, however, no significant correlation between online and in-person comparison scores ( r = .05, p = .59). This study yields clinically significant results showing insight into the online NVS for adolescents, providing a foundation for future adolescent health literacy research.

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Effects of an eHealth Intervention on Patient-Provider Interaction and Functional Health Literacy in Adults With Hypertension

SAGE Open Nursing ◽

10.1177/23779608211005863 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. 237796082110058

Author(s):

Ronald L. Hickman ◽

John M. Clochesy ◽

Marym Alaamri

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Attention Control ◽

Functional Health ◽

Self Management ◽

Functional Health Literacy ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Management Interventions ◽

Modifiable Factors

Introduction Hypertension is a life-limiting, chronic condition affecting millions of Americans. Modifiable factors, quality of the patient-provider interaction and functional health literacy, have been linked to effective hypertension self-management. However, there has been limited interventional research targeting these modifiable factors. Electronic hypertension self-management interventions, in particular those incorporating virtual simulation, may positively influence the quality of the patient-provider interaction and functional health literacy status of adults with hypertension. Yet there is a dearth of evidence examining the efficacy of eHealth interventions targeting these modifiable factors of hypertension self-management. Objective Evaluate the effects of two electronic hypertension self-management interventions on the quality of the patient-provider interaction and functional health literacy in adults with hypertension. Methods A convenience sample of community-dwelling adults (>18 years) with hypertension were recruited and randomized to an avatar-based simulation (eSMART-HTN) or a video presentation on hypertension self-management (attention control). Participants were administered questionnaires to capture demographic characteristics, the quality of the patient-provider interaction, and functional health literacy. Questionnaire data were collected at baseline, and then monthly across three months. Two separate repeated measures analysis of covariance models were conducted to assess the effects of the interventions across the time points. Results The sample included 109 participants who were predominately middle-aged and older, nonwhite, and female. Scores for the quality of the patient-provider interaction demonstrated significant within-group changes across time. However, there were no significant differences in the quality of the patient-provider interaction or functional health literacy scores between experimental conditions while adjusting for covariates. Conclusion An avatar-based simulation (eSMART-HTN) intervention proved to have a positive effect on patient-provider interaction compared to an attention control condition. Although the results are promising, future research is needed to optimize the effectiveness of eSMART-HTN and enhance its efficacy and scalability in a larger cohort of adults with hypertension.

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HEALTH LITERACY OF INDIVIDUALS UNDERGOING DIALYSIS THERAPY

Texto & Contexto - Enfermagem ◽

10.1590/1980-265x-tce-2017-0418 ◽

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.

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