Dataset Information

Health literacy strengths and limitations among rural fishing communities in Egypt using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ).

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION:Health literacy is an important determinant of health. The aim of this study was to use a multi-dimensional measurement tool to describe the health literacy of people living in a fishing community in northern Egypt. METHODS AND ANALYSIS:Data were collected from 436 people (fisherman and their families), using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ), which includes 9 scales. Effect sizes (ES) for standardized mean differences estimated the magnitude of difference between demographic groups. RESULTS:The mean age of participants was 42 years, 50% were male, 42% were working in the fishing sector, 17.9% had access to the Internet and 36.8% were illiterate. Male participants showed higher capabilities in scales 3. Actively managing my health and 4. Social support for health (ES = 0.21 and 0.27, respectively). In comparison to other occupations, fishing occupation had a negative impact on scale 7. Navigating the healthcare system (ES -0.23). Also, higher educational level was associated with higher HLQ indicators. Across all scales, scale 2. Having sufficient information to manage my health showed the lowest mean (SD) score; 2.23 (0.76) indicating that most people reported they didn't have enough information. CONCLUSIONS:This study has revealed that fishermen and their families have a wide range of health literacy difficulties which are likely to have profound negative effects on health behavior and health outcomes.

SUBMITTER: Anwar WA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7365439 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Health literacy strengths and limitations among rural fishing communities in Egypt using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ).

Anwar Wagida A WA Mostafa Nayera S NS Hakim Sally Adel SA Sos Dalia G DG Abozaid Dena A DA Osborne Richard H RH

PloS one 20200716 7

<h4>Introduction</h4>Health literacy is an important determinant of health. The aim of this study was to use a multi-dimensional measurement tool to describe the health literacy of people living in a fishing community in northern Egypt.<h4>Methods and analysis</h4>Data were collected from 436 people (fisherman and their families), using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ), which includes 9 scales. Effect sizes (ES) for standardized mean differences estimated the magnitude of difference betwe ...[more]

PMID: 32673345

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Project description:Fishermen in low resource settings have limited access to health services and may have a range of health literacy-related difficulties that may lead to poor health outcomes. To provide solutions and interventions based on their needs, co-design is considered best practice in such settings. This study aimed to implement a co-design process as a step towards developing health literacy interventions to improve health and equity in the Borollos Lake region of northern Egypt, a low resource setting with a high prevalence of chronic diseases. This study was guided by the Ophelia (Optimising Health Literacy and Access) process, a widely used and flexible co-design process that seeks to create local and fit-for-purpose health literacy solutions through genuine engagement and participation of community members and relevant stakeholders. Following a health literacy survey using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ), cluster analysis was conducted to identify the diverse health literacy profiles among the fishing communities. Seven health literacy profiles were identified. Vignettes, representing these profiles, were presented and discussed in ideas generation/co-design workshops with fishermen and health workers to develop intervention ideas. Seventeen fishermen, 22 wives of fishermen, and 20 nurses participated in four workshops. Fifteen key strategies across five themes, including 'Enhancing education among fishing communities', 'Provide good quality health services', 'Financial support for health', 'Social support for health', and 'Promote better health-related quality of life among fishermen', were generated. The ideas did not only target the individuals but also required actions from the government, non-government organizations, and fishermen syndicates. By harnessing local wisdom, the Ophelia process has created meaningful engagement with the local communities, leading to a wide range of practical and feasible solutions that match the special needs and environment of a low resource setting.

Project description:BackgroundeHealth literacy is significantly associated with patients' online information behavior, physician-patient relationship, patient adherence, and health outcomes. As an important product of the internet, online health communities (OHCs) can help redistribute idle medical resources, increase medical resource utilization, and improve patient adherence. However, studies on eHealth literacy in OHCs are limited. Therefore, this study examined patients' eHealth literacy regarding health information-seeking behavior and physician-patient communication in OHCs.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the association between eHealth literacy in OHCs and patient adherence by employing social cognitive theory.MethodsThis was an empirical study, in which a research model consisting of 1 independent variable (patients' eHealth literacy), 3 mediators (physician-patient communication in OHCs, patient health information-seeking behavior in OHCs, and patients' perceived quality of health information in OHCs), 1 dependent variable (patient adherence), and 4 control variables (age, gender, living area, and education level) was established to examine the associations. Multi-item scales were used to measure variables. An anonymous online survey involving 560 participants was conducted through Chinese OHCs in July 2018 to collect data. Partial least squares and structural equation modeling were adopted to analyze data and test hypotheses.ResultsThe survey response rate was 79.6% (446/560). The reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity were acceptable. Age, gender, living area, and education level were positively associated with patient adherence, and gender was positively associated with physician-patient communication and patients' perceived quality of internet health information in OHCs. Patients' eHealth literacy was positively associated with patient adherence through the mediations of physician-patient communication, internet health information-seeking behavior, and perceived quality of internet health information in OHCs.ConclusionsResults indicate that physician-patient communication, internet health information-seeking behavior, and the perceived quality of internet health information are significantly associated with improving patient adherence via a guiding of eHealth literacy in OHCs. These findings suggest that physicians can understand and guide their patients' eHealth literacy to improve treatment efficiency; OHCs' operators should this strengthen the management of information quality, develop user-friendly features, and minimize the gap between the actual and perceived information quality.

Project description:ObjectiveWithin the digital society, the limited proficiency in digital health behaviors among rural residents has emerged as a significant factor intensifying health disparities between urban and rural areas. Addressing this issue, enhancing the digital literacy and health literacy of rural residents stands out as a crucial strategy. This study aims to investigate the relationship between digital literacy, health literacy, and the digital health behaviors of rural residents.MethodsInitially, we developed measurement instruments aimed at assessing the levels of digital literacy and health literacy among rural residents. Subsequently, leveraging micro survey data, we conducted assessments on the digital literacy and health literacy of 968 residents in five administrative villages in Zhejiang Province, China. Building upon this foundation, we employed Probit and Poisson models to empirically scrutinize the influence of digital literacy, health literacy, and their interaction on the manifestation of digital health behaviors within the rural population. This analysis was conducted from a dual perspective, evaluating the participation of digital health behaviors among rural residents and the diversity to which they participate in such behaviors.ResultsDigital literacy exhibited a notably positive influence on both the participation and diversity of digital health behaviors among rural residents. While health literacy did not emerge as a predictor for the occurrence of digital health behavior, it exerted a substantial positive impact on the diversity of digital health behaviors in the rural population. There were significant interaction effects between digital literacy and health literacy concerning the participation and diversity of digital health behaviors among rural residents. These findings remained robust even after implementing the instrumental variable method to address endogeneity issues. Furthermore, the outcomes of robust analysis and heterogeneity analysis further fortify the steadfastness of the aforementioned conclusions.ConclusionThe findings suggest that policymakers should implement targeted measures aimed at enhancing digital literacy and health literacy among rural residents. This approach is crucial for improving rural residents' access to digital health services, thereby mitigating urban-rural health inequality.

Project description:BACKGROUND:The Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) is a multidimensional generic questionnaire developed to capture a wide range of health literacy needs. There is a need for validation evidence for the Norwegian version of the HLQ (N-HLQ). OBJECTIVE:The present study tested an initial version of the Norwegian HLQ by exploring its utility and construct validity among a group of nursing students. METHODS:A pre-test survey was performed in participants (N = 18) who were asked to consider every item in the N-HLQ (44 items across nine scales). The N-HLQ was then administered to 368 respondents. Scale consistency was identified and extracted in a series of factor analyses (principal component analysis [PCA] with oblimin rotation) demanding a nine-dimension solution performed on randomly drawn 50% of the samples obtained by bootstrapping. Correlations between the nine factors obtained in the 13-factor PCA and the scale scores computed by the scale scoring syntaxes provided by the authors of the original HLQ were estimated. KEY RESULTS:The pre-test survey did not result in the need to rephrase items. The internal consistency of the nine HLQ scales was high, ranging from 0.81 to 0.72. The best fit for reproduction of the scales from the original HLQ was found for these dimensions: "1. feeling understood and supported by health care providers," "2. having sufficient information to manage my health," and "3. actively managing my health." For the dimensions "7. navigating in the healthcare system" and "8. ability to find good health information," a rather high degree of overlap was found, as indicated by relatively low differences between mean highest correlations and mean next-highest correlations. CONCLUSIONS:Despite some possible overlap between dimensions 7 and 8, the N-HLQ appeared relatively robust. Thus, this study's results contribute to the evidence validation base for the N-HLQ in Norwegian populations. [HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice. 2020;4(4):e190-e199.] PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: This study tested the Norwegian version of the Health Literacy Questionnaire. The questionnaire (44 items across nine scales) was completed by 368 nursing students. Despite some overlap between scale 7 ("navigating in the health care system") and scale 8 ("ability to find good health information"), the questionnaire appears to serve as a good measurement for health literacy in the Norwegian population.

Dataset Information

Health literacy strengths and limitations among rural fishing communities in Egypt using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ).

Publications

Health literacy strengths and limitations among rural fishing communities in Egypt using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ).

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