Association of health literacy with smoking behavior among Chinese men.

Health literacy may constitute a modifiable determinant of smoking behavior and intention to quit. Little is known about the extent to which health literacy affects smoking or quitting smoking. We assessed the nationally representative cross-sectional datasets from the China Health Literacy Surveillance (CHLS) initiated in 2018. Using polytomous logistic regression models, the study investigated the association of health literacy with smoking behavior and the intention to quit smoking among men aged 15-69 in China. After confounding factors were controlled, compared with having below basic health literacy, having adequate health literacy appeared to be an independent protective factor from current smoking [current smoking vs never smoking: adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.88; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.81-0.96; p = 0.003; current smoking vs former smoking: adjusted OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.64-0.92; p = 0.003], while having intermediate health literacy was associated with current smoking vs never smoking (adjusted OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02-1.17; p = 0.011) or former smoking vs never smoking (adjusted OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.06-1.40; p = 0.005). And having adequate health literacy was associated with intending to quit among current smokers (adjusted OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.10-1.42; p < 0.001). Findings provide evidence that health literacy may serve as a critical and independent protective factor for reducing poor smoking behavior or enhancing cessation intention among men. Efforts should focus on developing and evaluating intervention to control tobacco use among men with low health literacy level.

Health literacy and risk of viral hepatitis among Chinese school children.

INTRODUCTION: Poor literacy is associated with hepatitis morbidity and mortality. Adolescents are especially at risk of hepatitis C. This study investigated viral hepatitis literacy, risk, and influencing factors among Chinese middle and high school students. METHODOLOGY: A supervised self-administered survey was conducted with school children from six schools in Shantou, China. Data on demographics, health literacy, and risk of viral hepatitis were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 1732 students (from three middle and three high schools) participated in the study. Their major information resources were the internet (39.5%, 685/1732), television (28.8%, 498/1732), family (27.7%, 479/1732), and school (21.2%, 368/1732). The mean literacy score on the manifestations and risk factors of hepatitis was 3.4 ± 2.2 and 4.0 ± 2.3 (out of 8), respectively. Multiple linear regression models showed being female and in high school, having parents with higher education levels, and school or clinicians as an information resource were independent positive predictors, whereas poor awareness of risk factors was a negative predictor for health literacy. CONCLUSIONS: We report the risk of hepatitis among Chinese middle and high school students due to limited literacy and poor attitudes towards health-risk behaviors. Health education in school is recommended for preventable health risks among Chinese adolescents.

Women's Reactions to Breast Density Information Vary by Sociodemographic Characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Breast density information aims to increase awareness of breast density and its risks and to foster more informed future breast screening decisions among women with dense breasts. We explored associations between such information and outcomes including anxiety, confusion, or feeling informed, and whether they varied by race/ethnicity or literacy, or differentially affected future mammography plans. METHODS: A national telephone survey of a diverse sample of women previously informed of personal breast density (N = 1,322) assessed reactions to receipt of breast density information and future mammography plans. RESULTS: Most women (86%) felt informed after receiving personal breast density information; however, some felt anxious (15%) or confused (11%). Reactions varied significantly by sociodemographics; non-Hispanic Black, Asian, and Hispanic women and women with low literacy were nearly two to three times more likely to report anxiety than non-Hispanic White women (all ps < .05). Asian women and those with low literacy less often felt informed and more often felt confused. Non-Hispanic Black and Asian women were nearly twice as likely to report that knowing their breast density made them more likely to have future mammograms. Women with low literacy were more likely to change mammography plans, with some being more likely and others less likely to plan to have future mammograms. Greater anxiety and confusion were associated with higher likelihood of planning future mammograms; those feeling informed were less likely to plan future mammography. CONCLUSIONS: Differential reactions to breast density information are concerning if associated with disparate future screening plans. Future breast density education efforts should ensure that such information is readily accessible and understandable to all women in order to lead to desired effects.

Relationship between health literacy and COVID-19 knowledge: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Health literacy (HL) is a protective factor for some chronic diseases. However, its role in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has not been clarified. This study aims to explore the association between HL and COVID-19 knowledge among residents in Ningbo. Methods: A total of 6,336 residents aged 15-69 years in Ningbo were selected by multi-stage stratified random sampling method. The "Health Literacy Questionnaire of Chinese Citizens (2020)" was used to evaluate the relationship between COVID-19 knowledge and HL. Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Results: The HL and COVID-19 knowledge levels of Ningbo residents were 24.8% and 15.7%, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, people with adequate HL were the more likely to have adequate COVID-19 knowledge compared with those with limited HL (OR = 3.473, 95% CI = 2.974-4.057, P <0.001). Compared with the limited HL group, the adequate HL group had a higher rate of COVID-19 knowledge, a more positive attitude, and a more active behavior. Conclusion: COVID-19 knowledge is significantly associated with HL. Improving HL may influence people's knowledge about COVID-19, thereby changing people's behaviors, and finally combating the pandemic.

Integrating Palliative Care Into Self-management of Breast Cancer: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer patients may not be well-informed about palliative care, hindering its integration into cancer self-management. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test Managing Cancer Care: A Personal Guide (MCC-PT), an intervention to improve palliative care literacy and cancer self-management. METHODS: This was a single-blind pilot randomized controlled trial to evaluate the feasibility/acceptability and intervention effects of MCC-PT on palliative care literacy, self-management behaviors/emotions, and moderation by demographic/clinical characteristics. We enrolled 71 stages I to IV breast cancer patients aged at least 21 years, with >6-month prognosis at an academic cancer center. Patients were randomized to MCC-PT (n = 32) versus symptom management education as attention-control (n = 39). At baseline, 1 month, and 3 months, participants completed the Knowledge of Care Options Test (primary outcome), Control Preferences Scale, Goals of Care Form, Medical Communication Competence Scale, Measurement of Transitions in Cancer Scale, Chronic Disease Self-efficacy Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale. RESULTS: Mean participant age was 51.5 years (range, 28-74 years); 53.5% were racial/ethnic minority patients, and 40.8% had stage III/IV cancer. After adjusting for race/ethnicity, MCC-PT users improved their palliative care literacy with a large effect size (partial η2 = 0.13). Patients at late stage of disease showed increased self-management (partial η2 = 0.05) and reduced anxiety (partial η2 = 0.05) and depression (partial η2 = 0.07) with medium effect sizes. CONCLUSIONS: Managing Cancer Care: A Personal Guide is feasible and appears most effective in late-stage cancer. Research is needed to elucidate relationships among cancer stage, race/ethnicity, and self-management outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Integration of palliative care into cancer care can assist in creation of appropriate self-management plans and improve emotional outcomes.

Health literacy among cancer survivors: Results from the 2016 behavioral risk factor surveillance system survey.

ABSTRACT: Health literacy is a set of knowledge and skills that enables individuals to obtain, communicate, process and understand information, and services to make appropriate health decisions and to successfully navigate the health care system. Health literacy is important to quality of cancer survivorship care and patient self-management of their disease.We examined health literacy among cancer survivors, using data from the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. We compared health literacy across various demographic and socioeconomic groups and estimated the adjusted odds in favor of low health literacy for these characteristics.We found that about 16% of the cancer survivors had low health literacy. The prevalence was higher among Hispanic and Black individuals, and among those with poor health status, low income and educational attainment.A sizeable percentage of cancer survivors have low health literacy which is likely to complicate their ability to self-manage their disease and navigate the health care system for optimal care. In order to ensure the quality and appropriateness of cancer survivorship care, effective interventions are needed to address low health literacy in these populations.

Association between health literacy and multimorbidity: a nationwide, cross-sectional study of a Japanese population.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between health literacy and multimorbidity. DESIGN: Nationwide cross-sectional study. SETTING: Community settings across Japan. PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling participants aged 20 years or older were selected based on a quota sampling method that adjusted for age, sex and residential area. In total, 3678 participants from the Health Diary Study, with a mean age of 52.3 years (SD, 18.2 years; 1943 (52.8%) female participants), were included. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: Multimorbidity, the primary outcome measure, was defined as the presence of two or more chronic diseases. RESULTS: Of the 3678 participants, 824 (22.4%) had multimorbidity. The mean functional health literacy (FHL) and communicative and critical health literacy (CCHL) scores were 3.2 (SD, 0.7) and 3.6 (SD, 0.9), respectively. In the univariable analysis, both scores were associated with multimorbidity (p<0.001). However, in the multivariable modified Poisson regression analysis, only the FHL score was significantly associated with multimorbidity (per 1-point increase, 0.91; 95% CI 0.84 to 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: After adjusting for confounding variables, FHL, not CCHL, was significantly related to the presence of multimorbidity. Further longitudinal studies are required to examine the causal relationship between health literacy and multimorbidity.

Exploring the effects of programmatic intervention on family planning health literacy and contraceptive utilization in eastern Uganda.

Uganda Village Project (UVP) implemented the Healthy Village Initiative (HVI) and conducted household surveys to assess the effects of the initiative. This data adds to the limited body of knowledge regarding the efficacy of community health interventions for reproductive health in rural east Africa. As part of the HVI, UVP surveys rural Ugandan households before and after a 3-year programmatic intervention to assess changes in family planning health literacy, and contraception utilization. Results showed that there was an increase in contraceptive utilization, an increase in family planning health literacy, and a decrease in unmet need for contraception. Community-based outreaches led by community members and health workers can contribute to improving access to contraception, utilization of contraception, and health literacy surrounding contraception.

Breast cancer screening literacy information on online platforms: A content analysis of YouTube videos.

BACKGROUND: The YouTube platform has great potential of serving as a healthcare resource due to its easy accessibility, navigability and wide audience reach. Breast cancer screening is an important preventative measure that can reduce breast cancer mortality by 40%. Therefore, platforms being used as a healthcare resources, such as YouTube, can and should be used to advocate for essential preventative measures such as breast cancer screening. METHODS: In this study, the usefulness of videos related to breast cancer and breast cancer screening were analyzed. Videos were first screened for inclusion and then were categorized into very useful, moderately useful, somewhat useful, and not useful categories according to a 10-point criteria scale developed by medical professionals based on existing breast cancer screening guidelines. Two reviewers independently assessed each video using the scale. RESULTS: 200 videos were identified in the preliminary analysis (100 for the search phrase 'breast cancer' and 100 for the search phrase 'breast cancer screening'). After exclusion of duplicates and non-relevant videos, 162 videos were included in the final analysis. We found the following distribution of videos: 4.3% very useful, 17.9% moderately useful, 39.5% somewhat useful, and 38.3% not useful videos. There was a significant association between each of the following and the video's level of usefulness: video length, the number of likes, and the uploading source. Longer videos were very useful, somewhat useful videos were the most liked, personally produced videos were the most not useful, and advertisements produced the highest ratio of very useful to not useful videos. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to create more reliable and useful healthcare resources for the general population as well as to monitor health information on easily accessible social platforms such as YouTube.

Digital video interventions and mental health literacy among young people: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Mental health literacy is important as it relates to understanding mental illness, increasing help-seeking efficacy, and reducing mental illness-related stigma. One method to improve the mental health literacy of young people is a digital video intervention. AIMS: A scoping review was conducted to map existing research in the area of digital video interventions for mental health literacy among young people. METHODS: The scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA-ScR checklist. All results were screened based on our inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Seventeen studies were selected for analysis. In most studies (n = 14), a digital video was the only intervention whereas three studies took a multi-intervention approach. Only two of the digital video interventions were co-created with people with mental illness or university students. All studies showed positive results in favor of digital video interventions in at least one component of mental health literacy or compared to one of the comparison conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Digital video interventions represent effective tools for enhancing mental health literacy. However, there is a need for active involvement of end-users in co-creation and to attend to the production quality so that the digital video intervention is as relevant, informed, and effective as possible.

Efeitos de intervenção educativa no letramento em saúde e no conhecimento sobre diabetes: estudo quase-experimental / Efectos de la intervención educativa en la alfabetización en salud y el conocimiento sobre la diabetes: estudio cuasiexperimental / Effects of educational intervention on health literacy and knowledge about diabetes: a quasi-experimental study

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar os efeitos de intervenção educativa no letramento em saúde e no conhecimento sobre diabetes em adultos atendidos na atenção primária à saúde. Método Trata-se de estudo quase-experimental com intervenção educativa durante a consulta de enfermagem, atividade em grupo e acompanhamento telefônico com 33 adultos diagnosticados com diabetes mellitus tipo 2, cadastrados em uma Unidade Estratégia Saúde da Família no Sul do Brasil. Aplicaram-se instrumentos sociodemográfico e clínico (Spoken Knowledge in Low Literacy Patients with Diabetes e Eight-Item Health Literacy Assessment Tool) antes e após a intervenção. Os dados foram analisados pelos testes de Wilcoxom, coeficiente de correlação de Spearman e McNemar. Resultados A maioria dos participantes eram mulheres (69,7%), com idade média de 57,0 anos, tempo de escolaridade inferior a nove anos (69,7%) e tempo de diagnóstico ≤10 anos (51,5%). Após a intervenção, obteve-se aumento do conhecimento sobre a diabetes (p = 0,001), correlacionado ao letramento em saúde (r = 0,494; p = 0,001) e ao tempo do diagnóstico (r = 0,455; p = 0,001). Conclusão e implicação para a prática A utilização de instrumentos para mensurar o letramento em saúde e o conhecimento sobre diabetes possibilitou a construção de estratégias educativas voltadas para as lacunas existentes, promovendo aumento do conhecimento, o qual favorece o desenvolvimento das habilidades para a autogestão.

RESUMEN Objetivo Analizar los efectos de la intervención educativa sobre la alfabetización en salud y el conocimiento sobre diabetes en adultos tratados en la Atención Primaria de Salud. Método Se trata de un estudio cuasiexperimental, con intervención educativa, durante la consulta de enfermería en 33 adultos diagnosticados de Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2 registrados en una Unidad de Estrategia de Salud Familiar en el sur de Brasil, con actividades grupales y seguimiento telefónico. Antes y después de la intervención, se aplicaron instrumentos sociodemográficos y clínicos: Spoken Knowledge in Low Literacy Patients with Diabetes and the Eight-Item Health Literacy Assessment Tool. Los datos se analizaron mediante las pruebas de coeficiente de correlación de Wilcoxom, Spearman y McNemar. Resultados La mayoría fueron mujeres (69,7%), con una edad media de 57,0 años, menos de nueve años de escolaridad (69,7%) y tiempo de diagnóstico ≤ 10 años (51,5%). Después de la intervención, hubo un aumento en el conocimiento sobre diabetes (p = 0,001), correlacionado con la alfabetización en salud (r = 0,494 p = 0,001) y el tiempo desde el diagnóstico (r = 0,455 p = 0,001). Conclusión e implicaciones para la práctica El uso de instrumentos para medir la alfabetización en salud y el conocimiento sobre la diabetes permitieron la construcción de estrategias educativas orientadas a las brechas existentes, aumentando su conocimiento, lo que favorece el desarrollo de habilidades para el autocuidado.

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze the effects of educational intervention on health literacy and knowledge about diabetes in adults assisted in primary health care. Method This is a quasi-experimental study with educational intervention during the nursing consultation with 33 adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus registered in a Family Health Strategy Unit in southern Brazil and involving group activity and telephone follow-up. Sociodemographic and clinical instruments were applied before and after the intervention; these instruments included the Spoken Knowledge in Low Literacy Patients with Diabetes and the Eight-Item Health Literacy Assessment Tool. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon, Spearman, and McNemar correlation coefficient tests. Results Most participants were women (69.7%), with a mean age of 57.0 years, less than nine years of schooling (69.7%), and ≤10 years of diagnosis (51.5%). After the intervention, there was an increase in knowledge about diabetes (p = 0.001), correlated with health literacy (r = 0.494; p = 0.001) and the time of diagnosis (r = 0.455; p = 0.001). Conclusion and implications for practice The instruments to measure health literacy and knowledge about diabetes enabled the construction of educational strategies aimed at existing gaps, increasing the knowledge, thereby favoring the development of skills for self-management.

Nutritional Behaviors, Health Literacy, and Health Locus of Control of Secondary Schoolers in Southern Poland: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Nutritional behaviors remain an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. It seems obvious that unfavorable health behaviors adopted in adolescence are maintained late in adulthood and may have a profound effect on health status. The main aim of this study was to assess the association between nutritional behaviors and health literacy (HL), health locus of control (HLC), and socioeconomic variables in secondary school pupils from a voivodship (the main unit of territorial division) in southern Poland. The analysis was based on dataTable from a paper-and-pencil survey taken by 2223 pupils from schools selected as the result of cluster sampling. The survey questionnaire encompassed a set of five items asking about dietary patterns and the consumption of fruit and vegetables as well as fast food, a European Health Literacy Project Questionnaire consisting of 47 items, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) scale, and items asking about sociodemographic and economic variables. Uni- and multivariate logistic regression models have been developed to assess the predictors of indicator nutrition behaviors. The adjusted models revealed that internal HLC was not significantly associated with any of analyzed nutritional behaviors. "Powerful other HLC" and "Chance HLC" (dimension of external HLC) were significant predictors of the selected dietary patterns. Furthermore, higher HL was associated with higher consumption of fruit and vegetables [odds ratio, 95% confidence interval (OR, 95% CI)]: 1.02 (1.01-1.04) and with lower consumption of fast food (OR, 95% CI, 0.98, 0.95-0.999). There was a significant relationship between gender, the size of the household, self-assessed economic situation, expenditures on mobile phones, and weekly duration of Internet use and selected nutrition behaviors. In conclusion, developed regression models confirmed a significant relationship between HL and the types of consumed food, but not with dieting patterns. Contrary to earlier studies, internal HLC was not associated with nutrition behaviors. In our study, boys showed more favorable nutritional behaviors than girls. More intense use of the Internet was associated with less beneficial nutritional behaviors. This study brings important results that should have an impact on health promotion interventions addressed to adolescents in southern Poland.

Health-Related Quality of Life Profiles in Dialyzed Patients With Varying Health Literacy. A Cross-Sectional Study on Slovak Haemodialyzed Population.

Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) strongly affects patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL), mostly in the advanced stages of CKD. Health literacy (HL) may affect this association, in particular for some aspects of HRQoL. The aim of this study is to compare the profiles of HRQoL in dialyzed patients with varying HL. Methods: We obtained data on HL using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) and on HRQoL using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life - Short Form (KDQoL-SF 1.3) in a multicentre cross-sectional study in 20 dialysis clinics in Slovakia (n = 542; mean age = 63.6 years; males: 60.7%). We compared HRQoL for three HL groups using ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: Patients with low HL reported worse HRQoL than patients with moderate and high HL. The greatest differences between HL groups were found in the scales Effect of kidney disease, Cognitive function, Quality of social interaction, Social support, Dialysis staff encouragement, Patient satisfaction, Physical functioning, Pain, Emotional well-being and Social function. p-values in all cases were <0.001. Conclusion: Patients with low HL have a worse HRQoL in several domains than patients with a higher HL. Increasing HL capacities and better supporting patients with low HL should thus be given priority to support their HRQoL and at least maintain its level.

Employment Status and Health Literacy in Denmark: A Population-Based Study.

Objectives: Examining whether specific population groups who are not working and those who have an employment have the same health literacy level. Methods: Data were retrieved from a nationally representative cross-sectional study of the Danish population conducted with the health literacy questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q16) in 2016 and 2017. Socio-demographic characteristics were drawn from national registers. Odds ratio for the association between employment status and health literacy was estimated from logistic regression models, adjusted for socio-demographic characteristics. Probability weights were used to adjust for differences in responses. Results: Logistic regression analyses showed that receiving unemployment benefits, social assistance, employment and support allowance, retirement pension and sickness benefit were significantly associated with having inadequate health literacy compared to being employed in any industry. The highest odds ratio for inadequate health literacy was present for receiving unemployment benefit OR = 1.78 (95% CI: 1.23-2.56). Conclusion: Population groups not working and receiving economic public support have higher odds of inadequate health literacy competencies compared to those active in the labor force, considering age and socioeconomic factors. The result contributes to understanding health disparities in connection to occupational situation.

Research on the Health Literacy Status and Compliance Behavior of Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

This study is aimed at assessing the current status of ACS patients' health literacy and medication compliance, analyzing the relationship between the two, and providing ideas for clinically improving the medication compliance of ACS patients and preventing the recurrence of cardiovascular events. ACS patients need long-term medication to prevent vascular restenosis after surgery, and bad living habits and mood swings will affect postoperative recovery, so clinical interventions are needed to help patients establish a healthy lifestyle. The effect of conventional care is not ideal. Therefore, this paper uses regression analysis to analyze the correlation between the health literacy status of ACS patients and the compliance behavior, combines the investigation and experiment to perform regression analysis and uses mathematical statistics to process data. The connection between health literacy level and compliance behavior is discovered via a study, providing a point of reference for future research.

Predictors of Population Awareness of Cancer Genetic Tests: Implications for Enhancing Equity in Engaging in Cancer Prevention and Precision Medicine.

Racial and ethnic disparities in genetic awareness (GA) can diminish the impact of personalized cancer treatment and risk assessment. We assessed factors predictive of GA in a diverse population-based sample to inform awareness strategies and reduce disparities in genetic testing. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2019 to August 2019, with the survey e-mailed to 7,575 adult residents in southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Constructs from National Cancer Institute Health Information and National Trends Survey assessed cancer attitudes or beliefs, health literacy, and numeracy. Characteristics were summarized with mean ± standard deviation for numeric variables and frequency counts and percentages for categorical variables. Comparison of factors by race or ethnicity (non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black) and sex was conducted by t-tests, chi-square, or Fisher's exact tests. Multivariate logistic regression models were conducted to identify factors independently predictive of GA. RESULTS: Of 1,557 respondents, data from 940 respondents (the mean age was 45 ± 16.2 years, 35.5% males, and 23% non-Hispanic Blacks) were analyzed. Factors associated with higher GA included female gender (P < .001), non-Hispanic White (P < .001), college education (P < .001), middle-higher income (P < .001), stronger belief in genetic basis of cancer (P < .001), lower cancer fatalism (P = .004), motivation for cancer information (P < .001), and higher numeracy (P = .002). On multivariate analysis, college education (odds ratio [OR] 1.79; 95% CI, 1.22 to 2.63), higher motivation for cancer information (OR 1.56; 95% CI, 1.17 to 2.09), stronger belief in genetics of cancer (OR 2.21; 95% CI, 1.48 to 3.30), and higher medical literacy (OR 2.21; 95% CI, 1.34 to 3.65) predicted greater GA. CONCLUSION: This population-based study conducted in the precision medicine era identified novel modifiable factors, importantly perceptions of cancer genetics and medical literacy, as predictive of GA, which informs strategies to promote equitable engagement in genetically based cancer care.

Nivel de Alfabetización en Salud entre Adultos Mayores Atendidos en Dos Centros Comunitarios de Rehabilitación / Level of Health Literacy among Older Adults Served in Two Community Rehabilitation Centers

Objetivos: Determinar el nivel de Alfabetización en Salud (AS) en población adulta mayor de 2 Centros Comunitarios de Rehabilitación del Norte de Chile. Configuración y Diseño: Estudio descriptivo transversal. Materiales y Métodos: Se aplicó el Cuestionario Short Assessment of Health Literacy for Spanish-Speaking Adults (SAHLSA-50), que evalúa alfabetización en Salud en Adultos Mayores (AM) atendidos en 2 Centros Comunitarios de Rehabilitación del Norte de Chile. Análisis Estadístico utilizado: Al comparar grupos que tenían variables normales se utilizó la prueba de T de Student, para 3 o más grupos se utilizó la prueba ANOVA. Para variables categóricas se utilizó la prueba de Chi-cuadrado. Resultados: Se entrevistaron a 221 adultos mayores. Edad promedio 72,7 ± 5,9 años, 70,7% a mujeres. El 79,5% de los adultos mayores presenta un adecuado AS. Las diferencias en el puntaje del cuestionario SAHLSA-50 se presentaron con la escolaridad de los participantes, es mayor el puntaje a mayor escolaridad (p<0,001), y en edad, los sujetos que presentaban menor edad (<75 años) presentaban significativamente mayor puntaje (p<0,05). Conclusiones: El Cuestionario SAHLSA-50 evidenció un buen nivel de AS, sin embargo, se observa una mejor AS en sujetos de menor escolaridad y de menor edad.(AU)

Aims: To determine the level of Health Literacy (SA) in the older adult population of 2 Community Rehabilitation Centers in the North of Chile. Settings and Design: descriptive and cross-sectional study. Methods and Material: The Short Assessment of Health Literacy for Spanish-Speaking Adults Questionnaire (SAHLSA-50) was applied, which assesses health literacy in MA attended in 2 Community Rehabilitation Centers in the North of Chile. Statistical analysis used: When comparing groups that had normal variables, the Student's t test was used, for 3 or more groups the ANOVA test was used. For categorical variables, the Chi-square test was used. Results: 221 older people were interviewed. Average age 72.7 ± 5.9 years, 70.7% women. 79.5% of the elderly have adequate SA. The differences in the score of the SAHLSA-50 questionnaire were presented with the schooling of the participants, the higher the score the higher the schooling (p <0.001), and in terms of age, the subjects who were younger (<75 years) had significantly higher score (p <0.05). Conclusions: The SAHLSA-50 questionnaire showed a good level of SA, however, a better SA is observed in subjects with less education and younger age.(AU)

Preferences for More or Less Health Care and Association With Health Literacy of Men Eligible for Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening in Australia.

Importance: Understanding personal factors that influence diverse responses to health care information, such as preferences for more or less health care, might be beneficial to more effective communication and better involvement in health care choices. Objective: To determine whether individuals' preferences for more or less health care are associated with informed choice and understanding of overdiagnosis in routine prostate cancer screening and to examine associations among preferences, educational status, and health literacy. Design, Setting, and Participants: This survey study included a community-based sample of men in Australia aged 45 to 60 years eligible for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening, recruited via an international social research company. Survey data were collected online from June 27 to July 26, 2018. Data were analyzed in April 2020. Exposures: Participants were randomized to 1 of 2 versions of an online decision aid (full-length or abbreviated) about PSA screening and completed an online survey that included a measure of preference for more or less health care, the Medical Maximizer-Minimizer Scale (MMS), in which higher score indicates preference for more health care. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was informed choice; knowledge, attitudes, and intentions about screening for prostate cancer were also measured. Results: Of 3722 participants who began the survey, 2993 (80.4%) completed it (mean [SD] age, 52.15 [6.65] years). Stronger preferences for more heath care were observed in those without tertiary education (mean difference, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.09-0.22; P < .001) and with inadequate health literacy (mean difference, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.09-0.22; P < .001). After controlling for health and demographic variables, a 1-unit increase in MMS score was associated with reduced relative risk (RR) of making an informed choice (RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.74-0.82; P < .001) and of having adequate conceptual knowledge (RR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.84-0.90; P < .001), correct numerical knowledge (RR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.89-0.97; P = .001), and correct understanding of overdiagnosis (RR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.79-0.90; P < .001). A 1-unit increase in MMS score was associated with a more positive attitude toward screening (RR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.15-1.21; P < .001) and more positive intention to screen (RR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.16-1.25; P < .001) after adjusting for control variables. Conclusions and Relevance: This survey study examined associations between preferences for more or less health care and knowledge about overdiagnosis and informed choice among men in Australia. These results may motivate clinicians to elicit individual patient preferences to facilitate tailored discussions with patients about low-value care, such as prostate cancer screening, for which benefit is uncertain.

Nutrition Literacy Mediates the Relationships between Multi-Level Factors and College Students' Healthy Eating Behavior: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Study.

College students experience new pressures and choices as they transition to independent living and can easily develop unhealthy eating habits, resulting in obesity and obesity-related chronic diseases in later life. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that nutrition literacy (NL) mediated the relationship between multi-level factors influencing healthy eating behavior identified from the social-ecological model and healthy eating behavior of college students. A four-part questionnaire was completed by 412 participants recruited from six different four-year universities in Taiwan (effective response rate = 85.8%). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, an independent samples t-test, hierarchical multiple regression, and mediation analysis. The results indicated that the students' mean nutrition literacy score was 4.32 (SD = 0.78, range = 1-6). In the social-ecological framework, nutrition literacy significantly predicted healthy eating behavior (ß = 0.28, p < 0.001; ΔF = 32.54, p < 0.001; ΔR2 = 0.05) with control variables of background, intrapersonal, interpersonal, environmental, and macrosystem factors. Nutrition literacy mediated the effects of seven factors on healthy eating behavior across four levels. These findings suggested that strengthening influential multi-level factors associated with healthy eating behavior not only enhanced NL, but also improved individuals' healthy eating behavior.

OVCCA Web Application as Supplementary Material to Facilitate Health Literacy Regarding Carcinogenic Human Liver Fluke: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini, is associated to cholangiocarcinoma which is found frequently in some areas of Southeast Asian countries particularly in Thailand, Lao People Republic Democratic, Cambodia.  This study sought to investigate the effects of an O. viverrini and cholangiocarcinoma (OVCCA) web application to facilitate health literacy regarding O. viverrini in Northeast Thailand. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial study was performed among an intervention group (n=63) and a control group (n=63) during a one-year period from July 2019 to May 2020. The intervention group received the health literacy promotion program of O. viverrini information through the OVCCA web application for 6 weeks. The control group received an activity package from the public health department. The success of the program was evaluated at week 24 after the groups finished the last activity. ANCOVA, t-test and multiple logistic regression were used for data analysis for both groups. RESULTS: The scores for knowledge; ability to access, understand, appraise, and apply information; motivation for protection; and practice of O. viverrini prevention were significantly higher for the intervention group than for the control group. The results indicated that a health literacy promotion program through an OVCCA web application could be advantageous for preventing and controlling O. viverrini infection. CONCLUSION: This intervention may be used as a potential strategy and guideline for self-care and health promotion in other endemic areas.