Ling Zhang1, Ding Ding2, Lis Neubeck3, Robyn Gallagher4. 1. Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery / Sydney Nursing School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia; The Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia. Electronic address: lzha4590@uni.sydney.edu.au. 2. The Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia; Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia. 3. Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery / Sydney Nursing School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia; The Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia; School of Health and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, UK. 4. Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery / Sydney Nursing School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia; The Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to examine health literacy among first-generation Chinese immigrants living in Australia, identifying health literacy domains associated with emergency department (ED) visits and self-rated health (SRH). METHODS: Chinese immigrants (n = 362, mean age = 59) were recruited from communities across New South Wales and surveyed for health literacy, ED visits in the past 12 months, and SRH using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (simplified Chinese version). RESULTS: More than 70% of participants experienced health literacy difficulties. Health literacy was significantly lower among the following participants: older, migration at older age, recent immigrants, and those without university level education or proficient English. ED visits were independently associated with the health literacy domains lacking 'social support for health' (OR: 1.80; p = .031) and 'ability to appraise health information' (OR: 2.22; p = .005). Poor SRH was associated with the health literacy domains 'insufficient health information' (OR: 1.81; p = .025), 'inactively managing health' (OR: 1.72; p = .048), and 'lacking ability to appraise health information' (OR: 1.70; p = .048). CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate health literacy was identified in the majority of first-generation Chinese immigrants and it had significantly association with higher prevalence of ED use and poorer SRH. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Early screening and support for health literacy is critical in Chinese immigrants.
OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to examine health literacy among first-generation Chinese immigrants living in Australia, identifying health literacy domains associated with emergency department (ED) visits and self-rated health (SRH). METHODS: Chinese immigrants (n = 362, mean age = 59) were recruited from communities across New South Wales and surveyed for health literacy, ED visits in the past 12 months, and SRH using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (simplified Chinese version). RESULTS: More than 70% of participants experienced health literacy difficulties. Health literacy was significantly lower among the following participants: older, migration at older age, recent immigrants, and those without university level education or proficient English. ED visits were independently associated with the health literacy domains lacking 'social support for health' (OR: 1.80; p = .031) and 'ability to appraise health information' (OR: 2.22; p = .005). Poor SRH was associated with the health literacy domains 'insufficient health information' (OR: 1.81; p = .025), 'inactively managing health' (OR: 1.72; p = .048), and 'lacking ability to appraise health information' (OR: 1.70; p = .048). CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate health literacy was identified in the majority of first-generation Chinese immigrants and it had significantly association with higher prevalence of ED use and poorer SRH. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Early screening and support for health literacy is critical in Chinese immigrants.
Authors: Anna Rahel Pötter; Odile Sauzet; Theda Borde; Baharan Naghavi; Oliver Razum; Jalid Sehouli; Rajan Somasundaram; Hendrike Stein; Matthias David Journal: Wien Med Wochenschr Date: 2022-07-18