Introduction: Considering the importance of self-efficacy and since inadequate health literacy can be a serious barrier to the participation and ultimately affect the health of patients. The present research aimed to study the health literacy of cardiovascular patients and its relationship with awareness and self-efficacy. Methods: This research was a descriptive and cross-sectional study which was conducted on 138 cardiovascular patients visiting medical centers of Shahr-e Kord in 2016. The participants were selected using simple random sampling. To assess the health literacy of the participants, TOFHLA was used. The self-efficacy standard questionnaire was applied to measure the self-efficacy of participants. The obtained data were statistically analyzed using descriptive and analytical tests in SPSS-18. Participation in the present study was voluntary. Results: The mean age of participants was equal to 48.59±19.05. Based on the results, 64, 13 and 61 patients had an inadequate, marginal, and adequate level of health literacy, respectively. The mean score of awareness was 68.14±21.68 and the mean score of self-efficacy was obtained 37.90±32.65. There is a direct and significant relationship between awareness, self-efficacy, and health literacy (p=0.000), and awareness is a suitable predictor of health literacy. Conclusion: it is necessary to measure the health literacy and the relevant skills in patients before providing information to them in medical centers. Then, commensurate with their level of information, training programs should be planned to empower patients and increase their self-efficacy, so that they can achieve correct health information.
Health literacy

Health Literacy

Health Literacy ; Humans

Sarawak ; Literacy ; Health ; Food

Objectives: Effective communication has been correlated with improved outcomes in diabetes mellitus. Patient comprehension bears an effect on understanding, improving healthcare access and utilization, interaction with healthcare providers, caring for one’s own health, and shared decision making. Currently, there is a gamut of information on diabetes-related terms from various sources. However, no material has yet been available for clinical use in the third world setting. Hence, we explored the most common themes discussed during an outpatient diabetes consult in our hospital. Methodology: Consultation audio recordings (N = 96) and focus group discussions (N = 32) were conducted among adults with diabetes. Transcribed results underwent qualitative content and thematic analyses to develop the conceptual framework. Results: The study generated the following themes: diabetes mellitus diagnosis, lifestyle modification, treatment targets, hypoglycemia precautions, diabetes complications, and medication safety. There was a good understanding of these themes among patients with a higher educational attainment, however, among those with lower educational attainment, the attitude of patients toward diabetes care is paternalistic. Conclusion The themes discussed in outpatient diabetes consult reflects the dimensions of diabetes care mainly influenced by socio-cultural factors, patient-doctor relationships and adaptability to limitations of resources. The results will be used to develop and validate a culturally appropriate diabetes health literacy tool.
Diabetes Mellitus ; Health Literacy

Background: Health literacy is important in the self-management of hypertension. It is, thus, necessary to assess the health literacy of hypertensive patients to identify health literacy gaps and make appropriate interventions. A prerequisite to health literacy assessment is an accurate and efficient measurement of health literacy. Objective: This study examined the psychometric properties of the Filipino version of Health Literacy Short-Form 12 (HLS-SF12) among adult patients with hypertension. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 47 hypertensive patients from a selected barangay who were registered in the local health center. Data were analyzed using correlation analysis, Cronbach's alpha test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The acceptability was demonstrated by the absence of missing data, lack of significant floor and ceiling effects, and adequate distribution of scores. Cronbach's alpha was 0.78, and most corrected item-total correlations ranged from .31 to .58, which suggested satisfactory reliability. The pattern of interdomain correlations (r = .38-.69) and domain score-total score correlations (r = .76-.91) supported the construct validity of the instrument. Known-groups validity was also exhibited by the lower health literacy scores among those with primary education than those with secondary or tertiary education (median: 22.22 vs 29.17, p = 0.04). Conclusion Satisfying the set criteria, the Filipino version of HLS-SF12 is an acceptable, reliable, and valid instrument to measure the health literacy of adult hypertensive patients in a selected barangay in Manila.
Health Literacy ; Hypertension

Introduction: This study ventured into understanding the dynamics of contraception using the lens of the male end user. It aimed to examine more fully the experience of male acceptors to elucidate why vasectomy failed as a contraceptive modality. Methods: This was a multiple case study which elucidated the in-depth experiences of six participants on failed vasectomy and how they perceived contraception. The analyses of interview transcripts and field notes were based on the inductive approach of identifying data by means of thematic codes which emerged in a four-level process. Results: Subthemes were 1) failure of health education to correct misconceptions, 2) failure in compliance, 3) failure in cognition and understanding, 4) failure in shared decision making, and 5) failure in contraceptive intentions. Themes that emerged as causes of failure in vasectomy were 1) failure of partnership, and 2) failure caused by low level of health literacy. Conclusion Failure of vasectomy was laden with antecedents that greatly influenced the manner by which the male acceptors behaved. The participants' perceptions of contraception were either changed or remained steadfast depending on how they had believed vasectomy to be of worth to them as a husband, father and male acceptor. In all but one participant, vasectomy became of no use to them thereafter.
Contraception ; Health Education ; Health Literacy

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to measure the Korean health literacy level and to analyse its gaps according to the factors of socioeconomic and health status and health behaviors. Based on this, policy implications were reviewed to improve the understandability on health information and to reduce the gap among socioeconomic groups. METHODS: HLS-EU-Q47, a tool developed by the European Health Literacy Project, was used to conduct a face-to-face interview survey on the health literacy for the samples from general population. RESULTS: The public general health literacy (HL) index was 34.5 out of 50. HL is consisted of three sub-dimensions: healthcare (HC-HL), disease prevention (DP-HL), and health promotion (HP-HL). And a HL analysis found scores of 34.7 points for HC-HL, 35.4 points for DP-HL, and 33.3 points for HP-HL. The level of all HL was different according to socioeconomic characteristics and health behavior. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, more research activities on health-related literacy need to be conducted, and monitoring system on the HL level needs to be developed and implemented. In addition, a program to improve HL levels needs to be developed in order to strengthen the basis for a more sustainable healthcare system as an agenda with national health policy priority.
Consumer Health Information ; Delivery of Health Care ; Health Behavior ; Health Literacy ; Health Policy ; Health Promotion ; Literacy

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the readability and comprehensibility of the drug information on a patient leaflet for the senior by employing performance-based user-testing. METHODS: We included 36 elderly (65 years old or older) as the senior group (intervention group) and 36 adults (40~59 years old) as the adult group (control). We developed a questionnaire to test if participants could access to drug information. After completing a questionnaire, the participant was interviewed about their understanding over the patient leaflet. We performed t-test, χ2-test or Fisher's exact test to examine differences between two groups in primary outcomes. RESULTS: The senior were less likely able to find information (78%) than the adult (91%); they were much less likely able to understand information (42%) than the adult (69%). While we found differences between the ability of finding and understanding drug information in both groups, the senior group had greater difficulties in understanding all kinds of drug information. They had significant difficulties to remember information after reading the patient leaflet and frequently failed to find proper information even though they were allowed to access freely to the leaflet during interviewing. CONCLUSION: To secure safe and effective use of drugs for the senior, it is necessary to develop drug leaflets for the senior.
Adult ; Aged* ; Comprehension ; Health Literacy ; Humans

Lay public's concerns around health and health information are increasing. In response, governments and government agencies are establishing websites to address such concerns and improve health literacy by providing better access to validated health information. Since 2011, the Korean government has constructed the National Health Information Portal (NHIP) website run in collaboration with the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences (KAMS). This study therefore aimed to 1) examine consumer use of NHIP, with respect to the usage patterns, evaluation on health information provided, and perceived effectiveness of the site; and 2) identify factors that may impact perceived effectiveness of the site. An online survey was conducted with 164 NHIP users, recruited through a popup window on the main screen of the portal website from October to November 2015. The significant predicting factors supported by the data include the relevance of health information on the site, the usefulness of information in making health decisions, and the effective visualization of information. These factors can inform future efforts to design more effective health information websites, possibly based on metadata systems, to further advance the lay public's information seeking and health literacy.
Cooperative Behavior ; Government Agencies ; Health Literacy ; Internet