Ali Akbar Haghdoost1, Mohammad Karamouzian2,3, Ensiyeh Jamshidi4, Hamid Sharifi2, Fatemeh Rakhshani5, Nadia Mashayekhi6, Hamid Rassafiani7, Fatemeh Harofteh8, Mansoor Shiri9, Mohammad Aligol10, Hossein Sotudeh11, Atoosa Solimanian12, Fatemeh Tavakoli2, Abedin Iranpour2. 1. Modelling in Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Islamic Republic of Iran. 2. HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Islamic Republic of Iran. 3. School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. 4. Community Based Participatory Research Center, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High -Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. 5. School of Public Health, Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. 6. Health Education Office, Department of Health Affairs, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Islamic Republic of Iran. 7. Health Education Office, Department of Health Affairs, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Islamic Republic of Iran. 8. Health Education & Promotion, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. 9. Behavioral Sciences Research Center, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran. 10. Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. 11. Health Education Office, Department of Health Affairs, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Islamic Republic of Iran. 12. Health Education Office, Health Departments, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Health literacy is one of the most important determinants of noncommunicable diseases prevention. Health literacy is associated with elevated risks for poorer access to care, adverse health outcomes, and increased hospitalization and health costs. AIMS: This study aimed to determine the level of health literacy among the general adult population in the Islamic Republic of Iran. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional study during 2014-2015 with a multistage cluster sampling approach, we administered a pilot-tested standardized questionnaire to assess different domains of health literacy (i.e., reading, comprehension, communication/decision-making and Interpretation/judgment skills, individual and social empowerment, health information access and health information use) among 8439 (3935 males) individuals aged 18-60 years. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Descriptive statistics and multivariable linear regression method using SPSS (20) were applied to identify the factors associated with health literacy among Iranian adults. RESULTS: The mean health literacy level was 10.2±3.8 (out of 20). Only 18% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.15-18.78) of the participants had adequate health literacy, while 45.7% (95% CI: 44.64-46.78) had inadequate, and the 36.3% (95% CI: 35.21-37.33) had moderate health literacy. In the adjusted linear regression model, education level (the smallest β = 4.35, P < 0.001), age (β = 0.01, P = 0.002), female sex (β = 0.45, P < 0.001), residency in rural areas (β = 0.26, P < 0.001) and having permanent job (β = 1.03, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with more health literacy. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlighted that the Iranian adult population has an insufficient level of health literacy, which calls for comprehensive education planning to improve the levels, with special attention to certain subpopulations (e.g. illiterate populations) and domains (e.g. individual empowerment).
BACKGROUND: Health literacy is one of the most important determinants of noncommunicable diseases prevention. Health literacy is associated with elevated risks for poorer access to care, adverse health outcomes, and increased hospitalization and health costs. AIMS: This study aimed to determine the level of health literacy among the general adult population in the Islamic Republic of Iran. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional study during 2014-2015 with a multistage cluster sampling approach, we administered a pilot-tested standardized questionnaire to assess different domains of health literacy (i.e., reading, comprehension, communication/decision-making and Interpretation/judgment skills, individual and social empowerment, health information access and health information use) among 8439 (3935 males) individuals aged 18-60 years. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Descriptive statistics and multivariable linear regression method using SPSS (20) were applied to identify the factors associated with health literacy among Iranian adults. RESULTS: The mean health literacy level was 10.2±3.8 (out of 20). Only 18% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.15-18.78) of the participants had adequate health literacy, while 45.7% (95% CI: 44.64-46.78) had inadequate, and the 36.3% (95% CI: 35.21-37.33) had moderate health literacy. In the adjusted linear regression model, education level (the smallest β = 4.35, P < 0.001), age (β = 0.01, P = 0.002), female sex (β = 0.45, P < 0.001), residency in rural areas (β = 0.26, P < 0.001) and having permanent job (β = 1.03, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with more health literacy. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlighted that the Iranian adult population has an insufficient level of health literacy, which calls for comprehensive education planning to improve the levels, with special attention to certain subpopulations (e.g. illiterate populations) and domains (e.g. individual empowerment).
Authors: Ma Carmen C Tolabing; Kim Carmela D Co; Ophelia M Mendoza; Nona Rachel C Mira; Romeo R Quizon; Ma Sandra B Tempongko; Martin Aaron M Mamangon; Isabel Teresa O Salido; Peter W S Chang Journal: Health Lit Res Pract Date: 2022-05-06
Authors: Norrafizah Jaafar; Komathi Perialathan; Manimaran Krishnan; Nurashma Juatan; Masitah Ahmad; Teresa Yong Sui Mien; Kamarul Zaman Salleh; Affendi Isa; Suraiya Syed Mohamed; Nor Hanizah Abu Hanit; Wan Shakira Rodzlan Hasani; Emma Mirza Wati Mohamad; Mohammad Zabri Johari Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-05-28 Impact factor: 3.390