Prevalence and Associated Factors of General Health Literacy Among Adults in Malaysia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.18.3.33
- Author:
Cheong Lieng Teng
1
;
Pei Kuan Lai
2
;
Hian Jie Heng
3
;
Mun Hong Tiew
3
;
Chun Wai Chan
1
Author Information
1. Department of Family Medicine, International Medical University, Seremban Campus, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.
2. Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, No.126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
3. School of Medicine, International Medical University, Seremban Campus, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
adult;
health literacy;
Malaysia;
prevalence;
systematic review
- MeSH:
Adult;
Health Literacy;
Malaysia;
Prevalence;
Systematic Review [Publication Type]
- From:International e-Journal of Science, Medicine and Education
2024;18(3):33-47
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: There is an increasing number of publications on health literacy from Malaysia. We conducted a systematic review of Malaysian studies to determine the prevalence of limited general health literacy and the associated factors among Malaysian adults.
Materials and Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search for Malaysian studies on health literacy using PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar. Cross-sectional studies that measured general health literacy using specific rating scales among adults in Malaysia were retrieved for qualitative analysis. Quantitative synthesis of the prevalence of limited health literacy measured using two rating scales (Newest Vital Sign, NVS and various versions of European Health Literacy Survey, HLS) was performed using random effect model.
Results: Twenty-five studies measuring general health literacy were retrieved for qualitative analysis; the majority were various versions of HLS and NVS. Pooled prevalence rates of limited health literacy were: HLS: 48.59%; NVS: 91.41%. Subgroup analysis of participant type revealed prevalence of limited health literacy measured using NVS was lower in clinical samples vs non-clinical samples (85.67% vs 94.70%). Moderator analysis revealed a small effect of ethnicity on prevalence of health literacy measured using HLS. Assessment of included studies showed very few of them had statistically significant associations between socio-demographic factors and limited health literacy.
Conclusion: Prevalence of limited health literacy in Malaysian adults was very high: almost one in two adults in HLS studies and nine out of ten adults in NVS studies. Socio-demographic factors associated with limited health literacy were inconsistent with other studies.
- Full text:20250814144606852514.-TCL-Prevalence-And-Associated-Factors.pdf
