Autism and Health Literacy in the Context of Angola

2022 ◽  
pp. 341-355
Author(s):  
Beatriz Filipe
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Public School ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Scientific Concepts ◽  
Autism Diagnosis

This chapter presents an approach to the scientific concepts on autism, diagnosis, and treatment criteria, as well as the assessment of knowledge on this subject and its relationship with the level of health literacy in the context of Angolan society. To substantiate the importance of health literacy, dimensions of access, understanding and use of health information, and decision making, an observational case study related to a research carried out in 2012 for the tracking of signs of autism is explored. The sample consisted of a group of 200 mothers of children and adolescents who were initially diagnosed with intellectual disabilities. This sample, for convenience, was selected from students who had previously been diagnosed with intellectual disabilities and attended a public school located in the municipality of Rangel, in the Province of Luanda, capital of Angola. The current stigma still exists about the disease.

Federated health information architecture: Enabling healthcare providers and policymakers to use data for decision-making

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manish Kumar ◽  
Javed Mostafa ◽  
Rohit Ramaswamy
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Information Architecture ◽  
Program Managers ◽  
Healthcare Data ◽  
Bihar State

Health information systems (HIS) in India, as in most other developing countries, support public health management but fail to enable healthcare providers to use data for delivering quality services. Such a failure is surprising, given that the population healthcare data that the system collects are aggregated from patient records. An important reason for this failure is that the health information architecture (HIA) of the HIS is designed primarily to serve the information needs of policymakers and program managers. India has recognised the architectural gaps in its HIS and proposes to develop an integrated HIA. An enabling HIA that attempts to balance the autonomy of local systems with the requirements of a centralised monitoring agency could meet the diverse information needs of various stakeholders. Given the lack of in-country knowledge and experience in designing such an HIA, this case study was undertaken to analyse HIS in the Bihar state of India and to understand whether it would enable healthcare providers, program managers and policymakers to use data for decision-making. Based on a literature review and data collected from interviews with key informants, this article proposes a federated HIA, which has the potential to improve HIS efficiency; provide flexibility for local innovation; cater to the diverse information needs of healthcare providers, program managers and policymakers; and encourage data-based decision-making.

scholarly journals Associations between health literacy and information-evaluation and decision-making skills in Japanese adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuhiro Nakayama ◽  
Yuki Yonekura ◽  
Hitomi Danya ◽  
Kanako Hagihara
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Information Evaluation ◽  
Research Company ◽  
Literacy Survey

Abstract Background Health literacy in Japanese people is often low because people find it difficult to evaluate health information and make informed decisions. Clarifying the association between health literacy and the skills to evaluate information and make appropriate decisions (not necessarily limited to health information) would inform efforts to improve health literacy. Therefore, the study objectives were to investigate the following issues using a nationwide survey in Japan: 1) When obtaining information, to what extent do people appropriately evaluate whether the information is reliable, and when making decisions, to what extent do they seek out available options and compare pros and cons based on their own values? 2) How strongly are these skills associated with health literacy and demographic characteristics? 3) What opportunities are available to learn these skills? Methods An online questionnaire survey was conducted using a Japanese Internet research company; 3,914 valid responses were received. The measures comprised health literacy (European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire), five items on information evaluation, four items on the decision-making process, and items on the availability and location of learning opportunities. Pearson correlations were calculated to explore the association of health literacy with information-evaluation and decision-making skills. Multivariate analyses were also conducted using these factors as dependent variables. Results Less than half of respondents always or often evaluated information and engaged in the decision-making process. Health literacy was significantly correlated with information evaluation and the decision-making process (.26 and .30, respectively). More than 40% of respondents had no learning opportunities. Respondents who did have learning opportunities learned on their own, rather than at school or work, using sources such as the Internet and television. Conclusions Both information-evaluation and decision-making skills were associated with health literacy. However, these skills are not sufficiently widespread in Japan, because there are few opportunities to learn them. More research is needed to raise awareness of the importance of these skills for improving health literacy, and to provide appropriate learning opportunities. Additionally, an environment must be created in which all individuals can easily receive support at any time, so that they can make appropriate decisions based on reliable information.

Embedding health literacy into health systems: a case study of a regional health service

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Vellar ◽  
Fiorina Mastroianni ◽  
Kelly Lambert
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Health District ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Consumer Health ◽  
Regional Health

Objective The aim of the present study was to describe how one regional health service the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District embedded health literacy principles into health systems over a 3-year period. Methods Using a case study approach, this article describes the development of key programs and the manner in which clinical incidents were used to create a health environment that allows consumers the right to equitably access quality health services and to participate in their own health care. Results The key outcomes demonstrating successful embedding of health literacy into health systems in this regional health service include the creation of a governance structure and web-based platform for developing and testing plain English consumer health information, a clearly defined process to engage with consumers, development of the health literacy ambassador training program and integrating health literacy into clinical quality improvement processes via a formal program with consumers to guide processes such as improvements to access and navigation around hospital sites. Conclusions The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District has developed an evidence-based health literacy framework, guided by the core principles of universal precaution and organisational responsibility. Health literacy was also viewed as both an outcome and a process. The approach taken by the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District to address poor health literacy in a coordinated way has been recognised by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care as an exemplar of a coordinated approach to embed health literacy into health systems. What is known about the topic? Poor health literacy is a significant national concern in Australia. The leadership, governance and consumer partnership culture of a health organisation can have considerable effects on an individual’s ability to access, understand and apply the health-related information and services available to them. Currently, only 40% of consumers in Australia have the health literacy skills needed to understand everyday health information to effectively access and use health services. What does this paper add? Addressing health literacy in a coordinated way has the potential to increase safety and quality of care. This paper outlines the practical and sustainable actions the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District took to partner with consumers to address health literacy and to improve the health experience and health outcomes of consumers. Embedding health literacy into public health services requires a coordinated whole-of-organisation approach; it requires the integration of leadership and governance, revision of consumer health information and revision of consumer and staff processes to effect change and support the delivery of health-literate healthcare services. What are the implications for practitioners? Embedding health literacy into health systems promotes equitable, safe and quality healthcare. Practitioners in a health-literate environment adopt consumer-centred communication and care strategies, provide information in a way that is easy to understand and follow and involve consumers and their families in decisions regarding and management of the consumer’s care.

scholarly journals Collaborative Learning is an Effective Method for Improving the E-health Literacy of Older Adults in the Community

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa S. Arndt
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Perceived Importance ◽  
Post Test

Objective – To determine whether collaborative learning strategies in an informal class setting can improve electronic health literacy skills of older adults. Design – Pre- and post-test instruments used to measure effects of an educational intervention. Setting – Small group classes offered at two branches of a large, publicly funded, urban public library in Maryland. Subjects – A total of 111 adults aged 52 to 91, mean age 70.4 (SD 8.0), completed the study. The majority of participants were from minority populations (66% African American, 3% Latino, 3% Asian). Thirty three percent of participants reported an annual household income below $20,000. Eight percent were non-native English speakers. The majority of participants had low-level or no computer/Internet experience prior to the study. Methods – Collaborative learning strategies were used in small group hands-on computer classes to deliver a standardized curriculum (Helping Older Adults Search for Health Information Online: A Toolkit for Trainers from the National Institute on Aging). Strategies employed were: explicit statement of group/participatory nature of class, periodic peer shared reflection times during class, active encouragement of discussion between peers, hands-on work with partners, group discussion of real-life questions from participants, and structured shared reflection time at the close of each session. Participants were recruited through local advertisements. No incentive other than the free classes was offered. Groups met for two hours, twice a week for four weeks. Assessment was via pre and post-tests. General computing knowledge/skills were measured using objective tests of abilities. Questions from several established scales were adapted for additional assessment. E-health literacy was measured using questions of perceived skill and comfort in finding health information online; perceived usefulness of the Internet for help making health decisions; and perceived importance of the Internet for obtaining health information. Subjects were also asked to report on changes to their health behaviour/decision- making post intervention, and learning effort expended during the study. Additional questions measured psychological adjustment to later life, attitudes toward computers, attitude toward the aging experience, and attitude toward the collaborative learning method and the class. Main Results – A dependent t-test analysis indicated strong significant gains post-test in computing/Internet knowledge and skills, and in e-health literacy efficacy (perceived skills/comfort with using the Internet for health information and decision-making). Pre-test results showed participants to be low on these measures, leaving much room for improvement. Perception of the usefulness and importance of the Internet for health decision-making also showed strong gains. Significant positive changes were also found in these areas of attitude: reduction of computer anxiety, attitude toward physical changes associated with aging, and improvement in attitude toward the collaborative learning method. A majority of participants indicated altering health-related behaviours as a result of the class, including changing the way they think about diet or exercise, changing the way they cope with a condition, and changing their approach to maintaining health. The results showed no significant change in self-esteem, self-efficacy, and psychological attitudes toward aging. Computer interest and efficacy also showed no significant change, perhaps because participants already measured high in these prior to the intervention. The amount of time participants spent preparing for class correlated significantly to e-health literacy efficacy and perceived importance of Internet health information, but not to other outcome measures. Group composition (gender, peer familiarity, prior computer experience) did not affect outcomes; however composition was uneven, as groups were small and variable in size, and 71% of participants were female. Conclusion – The study supports the use of a collaborative learning approach to effectively deliver e-health literacy instruction to older adults in a community setting.

scholarly journals How could health information be improved? Recommended actions from the Victorian Consultation on Health Literacy

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie J. Hill ◽  
Tanya A. Sofra
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Objective Health ◽  
Health Decision Making ◽  
Health Decision ◽  
Information Materials ◽  
Improve Health

Objective Health literacy is on the policy agenda. Accessible, high-quality health information is a major component of health literacy. Health information materials include print, electronic or other media-based information enabling people to understand health and make health-related decisions. The aim of the present study was to present the findings and recommended actions as they relate to health information of the Victorian Consultation on Health Literacy. Methods Notes and submissions from the 2014 Victorian Consultation workshops and submissions were analysed thematically and a report prepared with input from an advisory committee. Results Health information needs to improve and recommendations are grouped into two overarching themes. First, the quality of information needs to be increased and this can be done by developing a principle-based framework to inform updating guidance for information production, formulating standards to raise quality and improving the systems for delivering information to people. Second, there needs to be a focus on users of health information. Recommendation actions were for information that promoted active participation in health encounters, resources to encourage critical users of health information and increased availability of information tailored to population diversity. Conclusion A framework to improve health information would underpin the efforts to meet literacy needs in a more consistent way, improving standards and ultimately increasing the participation by consumers and carers in health decision making and self-management. What is known about the topic? Health information is a critical component of the concept of health literacy. Poorer health literacy is associated with poorer health outcomes across a range of measures. Improving access to and the use of quality sources of health information is an important strategy for meeting the health literacy needs of the population. In recent years, health services and governments have taken a critical interest in improving health literacy. What does this paper add? This article presents the findings of the Victorian Consultation on Health Literacy as they relate to needs, priorities and potential actions for improving health information. In the context of the National Statement for Health Literacy, health information should be a priority, given its centrality to the public’s management of its own health and effective, standards-based, patient-centred clinical care. A framework to improve health information would underpin the efforts of government, services and consumer organisations to meet literacy needs in a more consistent way, improving standards and ultimately increasing the participation by consumers and carers in health decision making and self-management. What are the implications for practitioners? The development and provision of health information materials needs to be systematised and supported by infrastructure, requiring leadership, cultural change, standards and skills development.

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