Ervin Toçi1, Genc Burazeri2, Sokol Myftiu3, Kristine Sørensen2, Helmut Brand2. 1. Department of International Health, School for Public Health and Primary Care (CAPHRI), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania. 2. Department of International Health, School for Public Health and Primary Care (CAPHRI), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. 3. University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Health literacy (HL) may be an important determinant of health, but this concept is largely under-researched in Albania, a transitional country in the Western Balkans which is currently undergoing major political and socioeconomic changes. We aimed to assess the sociodemographic distribution of HL in this transitional South Eastern European country aspiring to join the European Union. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in urban Tirana, the capital of Albania, during September 2012-February 2014 including a representative population-based sample of 1154 adult individuals aged ≥18 years (57% women; 89% response). HL was assessed using the full version (47 items) of the 'Health Literacy Survey-European Union Questionnaire'. Spearman's correlation coefficients were used to assess the linear associations between HL indexes with demographic and socioeconomic correlates of study participants. RESULTS: Overall HL was significantly higher among younger, highly educated and better-off participants. Conversely, no significant differences were noticed regarding sex, employment status or marital status of respondents. CONCLUSIONS: Sociodemographic correlates of HL among Albanian adults showed similar trends with those observed in other former communist countries of Europe. Current findings may help policymakers tailor accordingly future interventions and programs to improve health status of Albanian citizens.
BACKGROUND: Health literacy (HL) may be an important determinant of health, but this concept is largely under-researched in Albania, a transitional country in the Western Balkans which is currently undergoing major political and socioeconomic changes. We aimed to assess the sociodemographic distribution of HL in this transitional South Eastern European country aspiring to join the European Union. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in urban Tirana, the capital of Albania, during September 2012-February 2014 including a representative population-based sample of 1154 adult individuals aged ≥18 years (57% women; 89% response). HL was assessed using the full version (47 items) of the 'Health Literacy Survey-European Union Questionnaire'. Spearman's correlation coefficients were used to assess the linear associations between HL indexes with demographic and socioeconomic correlates of study participants. RESULTS: Overall HL was significantly higher among younger, highly educated and better-off participants. Conversely, no significant differences were noticed regarding sex, employment status or marital status of respondents. CONCLUSIONS: Sociodemographic correlates of HL among Albanian adults showed similar trends with those observed in other former communist countries of Europe. Current findings may help policymakers tailor accordingly future interventions and programs to improve health status of Albanian citizens.
Authors: Monica C Junkes; Fabian C Fraiz; Fernanda Sardenberg; Jessica Y Lee; Saul M Paiva; Fernanda M Ferreira Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-07-09 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Dajana Roshi; Genc Burazeri; Peter Schröder-Bäck; Ervin Toçi; Salvatore Italia; Alban Ylli; Helmut Brand Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2020-08-11