Introduction: Dental caries is a preventable chronic disease whereby identification of risk factors will facilitate preventive measures. This study aims to determine the level of oral health literacy (OHL), self-care practices (SCP), salivary parameters and ascertain its assocation with caries status amongst the undergraduates in IMU University. Methods: Levels of OHL (Knowledge-OHL, dental services utilisation, and label reading habit) and SCP were assessed through a self-administered questionnaire. Chairside saliva kits were used to measure the salivary parameters whilst clinical examination was performed to assess caries status. Independent T-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to compare differences between sex and courses respectively for measures of interest (OHL, SCP, salivary parameters, and caries status) whereas bivariate correlation with Pearsons’s coefficient was performed to examine their association with caries status. Results: The participants (n=132) had a mean Knowledge-OHL score of 23.75±8.09 with no significant difference between sex (females, 24.01±8.51; males, 23.48±7.69; p=0.15). Dentistry students had significantly higher Knowledge-OHL score than students of all other courses (p=0.01). The mean SCP score was 20.19±3.16 whereas mean DMFT was 2.32 ±3.14. All participants had healthy saliva parameters. Caries status was significantly correlated with Knowledge-OHL score (p=0.02, r=-0.18), dental services utilisation (p=0.04, r=-0.15) but not with label reading habit (p=0.78, r=0.03), SCP (p=0.30, r=-0.05) and all salivary parameters. Conclusion Knowledge-OHL and oral health services utilisation are significantly associated with oral health status
Dental Caries ; Health Literacy ; Oral Health ; Saliva ; Self Care

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Contraceptives are widely acknowledged for preventing unwanted pregnancies. However, there is a prevalent lack of awareness regarding contraceptives, leading to unaddressed misconceptions. This study aimed to identify common contraceptive misconceptions among men and women of reproductive age and explore how primary health workers address them.

A qualitative study was conducted in two phases within District 5, Manila City. Phase 1 comprised focused group discussions with men and women of reproductive age (n=60), while Phase 2 involved conducting in-depth interviews with primary healthcare providers (n=16). MAXQDA, a qualitative software, to organize and code the data, was utilized.

Women of reproductive age reported several misconceptions about contraceptives, including concerns about adverse health effects, emotional and behavioral changes, perceived ineffectiveness, and cosmetic or bodily changes. For instance, they believed that contraceptives could lead to serious health complications, such as cancer, genital injury, and even death. Primary healthcare providers addressed these misconceptions through open dialogue during service delivery, particularly during prenatal and postpartum check-ups and infant immunizations. They utilized patient education strategies, including the teach-back method, and conducted community outreach and workshops on contraceptives and family planning, especially during Women’s Month.

Several misconceptions were identified among women of reproductive age regarding the proper use and safety of contraceptive methods, as well as misguided beliefs. In contrast, men did not exhibit any misconceptions about contraceptives, which warrants further investigation. Primary healthcare providers have taken a proactive approach to address this issue by offering comprehensive explanations and ensuring clear understanding between healthcare providers and women. Promoting contraceptive health literacy could help bridge the knowledge gap between men and women of reproductive age.

BACKGROUND

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a common part of Filipino meals. Increased SSB consumption is linked to weight gain and increased risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Previous studies have shown that health literacy (HL) is associated with positive health outcomes. However, there are limited studies examining its relationship with specific dietary behavior, including SSB consumption.

The study aims to investigate the association between HL and SSB consumption among Filipinos aged 15 to 70 years.

An analytic cross-sectional study using secondary data from the 2018-2019 National Health Literacy Survey (NHLS) was conducted. A total of 1,765 study participants (15 to 70 years old) were included. Socio-demographic information, daily SSB consumption (33 was considered "sufficient." Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to estimate adjusted odds ratios and confidence intervals for daily SSB consumption.

Out of the 1,765 study participants, 64.14% reported consuming (≥1 SSB drink per day, of whom majority (57.52%) were adults (31 to 59 years old), females (72.21%), married or in common-law partnership (65.70%), living in the Luzon region (47.23%), urban residents (71.94%), high school graduates (30.52%), have an annual household income of PhP 100,000–249,999 (37.03%), and employed (92.61%). Among those consuming ≥1 SSB drink per day, 51.89% had limited HL. Age, sex, and subnational level (National Capital Region, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao) were found to be significantly associated with the consumption of ≥1 SSB drink(s) per day. A weak association was found between HL and SSB consumption (aOR: 0.9591; 95% CI: 0.7832, 1.1747), that is, the adjusted odds of having limited HL were found to be slightly lower among those consuming ≥1 SSB drink(s) per day than those who consume

There was a high prevalence of daily SSB consumption among Filipinos. Among the variables considered, only age, sex, and subnational level were found to be significant determinants of SSB consumption. The findings of the study may provide valuable insights for targeted health promotion and education interventions in reducing SSB consumption among Filipinos such as workplace wellness programs, nutrition education, and the provision of healthier beverage alternatives. Priority should be given to younger individuals, males, and residents of the National Capital Region. This research also fills a gap in the literature regarding the role of HL in SSB consumption within the Philippine context. Findings of this study support adopting the Health Literacy Universal Precautions to ensure accessible health information and services for all, regardless of HL level.

Background and Objective: Contraceptives are widely acknowledged for preventing unwanted pregnancies. However, there is a prevalent lack of awareness regarding contraceptives, leading to unaddressed misconceptions. This study aimed to identify common contraceptive misconceptions among men and women of reproductive age and explore how primary health workers address them. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in two phases within District 5, Manila City. Phase 1 comprised focused group discussions with men and women of reproductive age (n=60), while Phase 2 involved conducting in-depth interviews with primary healthcare providers (n=16). MAXQDA, a qualitative software, to organize and code the data, was utilized. Results: Women of reproductive age reported several misconceptions about contraceptives, including concerns about adverse health effects, emotional and behavioral changes, perceived ineffectiveness, and cosmetic or bodily changes. For instance, they believed that contraceptives could lead to serious health complications, such as cancer, genital injury, and even death. Primary healthcare providers addressed these misconceptions through open dialogue during service delivery, particularly during prenatal and postpartum check-ups and infant immunizations. They utilized patient education strategies, including the teach-back method, and conducted community outreach and workshops on contraceptives and family planning, especially during Women’s Month. Conclusion Several misconceptions were identified among women of reproductive age regarding the proper use and safety of contraceptive methods, as well as misguided beliefs. In contrast, men did not exhibit any misconceptions about contraceptives, which warrants further investigation. Primary healthcare providers have taken a proactive approach to address this issue by offering comprehensive explanations and ensuring clear understanding between healthcare providers and women. Promoting contraceptive health literacy could help bridge the knowledge gap between men and women of reproductive age.
contraceptives ; contraceptive agents ; health literacy ; Philippines

Background: Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a common part of Filipino meals. Increased SSB consumption is linked to weight gain and increased risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Previous studies have shown that health literacy (HL) is associated with positive health outcomes. However, there are limited studies examining its relationship with specific dietary behavior, including SSB consumption. Objective: The study aims to investigate the association between HL and SSB consumption among Filipinos aged 15 to 70 years. Methods: An analytic cross-sectional study using secondary data from the 2018-2019 National Health Literacy Survey (NHLS) was conducted. A total of 1,765 study participants (15 to 70 years old) were included. Socio-demographic information, daily SSB consumption (<1 SSB drink per day or ≥1 SSB drink per day), and HL level (limited or sufficient) were extracted. An HL index score of ≤33 was classified as "limited," while a score >33 was considered "sufficient." Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to estimate adjusted odds ratios and confidence intervals for daily SSB consumption. Results: Out of the 1,765 study participants, 64.14% reported consuming (≥1 SSB drink per day, of whom majority (57.52%) were adults (31 to 59 years old), females (72.21%), married or in common-law partnership (65.70%), living in the Luzon region (47.23%), urban residents (71.94%), high school graduates (30.52%), have an annual household income of PhP 100,000–249,999 (37.03%), and employed (92.61%). Among those consuming ≥1 SSB drink per day, 51.89% had limited HL. Age, sex, and subnational level (National Capital Region, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao) were found to be significantly associated with the consumption of ≥1 SSB drink(s) per day. A weak association was found between HL and SSB consumption (aOR: 0.9591; 95% CI: 0.7832, 1.1747), that is, the adjusted odds of having limited HL were found to be slightly lower among those consuming ≥1 SSB drink(s) per day than those who consume <1 SSB drink/day. However, this association was found to be not statistically significant. Conclusion There was a high prevalence of daily SSB consumption among Filipinos. Among the variables considered, only age, sex, and subnational level were found to be significant determinants of SSB consumption. The findings of the study may provide valuable insights for targeted health promotion and education interventions in reducing SSB consumption among Filipinos such as workplace wellness programs, nutrition education, and the provision of healthier beverage alternatives. Priority should be given to younger individuals, males, and residents of the National Capital Region. This research also fills a gap in the literature regarding the role of HL in SSB consumption within the Philippine context. Findings of this study support adopting the Health Literacy Universal Precautions to ensure accessible health information and services for all, regardless of HL level.
Human ; health literacy ; sugar-sweetened beverage ; sweetened drink

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.
Adult ; Health Literacy ; Malaysia ; Prevalence ; Systematic Review [Publication Type]

BACKGROUND: There is substantial evidence on the association between lower education and unhealthy behaviors. However, the mechanism underlying this association remains unclear. This study aimed to examine whether income, health literacy, and social support mediate the association between education and health-related behaviors. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted in metropolitan areas in Japan from 2010 to 2011 among residents aged 25-50 years. Data from 3663 participants were used in this study. Health literacy was measured using the Communicative and Critical Health Literacy scale. Health-related behaviors were current smoking, poor dietary habits, hazardous drinking, and lack of exercise. Poisson regression analyses with robust variance estimators were conducted to examine the associations between education and these health-related behaviors. Multiple mediation analyses were conducted to estimate the magnitudes of the mediating effects of income, health literacy, and social support on these associations. RESULTS: Less educated participants had higher risks of all unhealthy behaviors. Income mediated the associations of education with smoking (6.4%) and exercise (20.0%). Health literacy mediated the associations of education with dietary habits (15.4%) and exercise (16.1%). Social support mediated the associations of education with dietary habits (6.4%) and exercise (7.6%). The education-drinking association was mediated by income in the opposite direction (-10.0%). The proportions of the total effects mediated by income, health literacy, and social support were 9.8% for smoking, 24.0% for dietary habits, -3.0% for drinking, and 43.7% for exercise. CONCLUSIONS These findings may provide clues for designing effective interventions to reduce educational inequalities in health-related behaviors.
Humans ; Japan ; Health Behavior ; Educational Status ; Exercise ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Health Literacy ; Cognition

OBJECTIVES: The development and validation of the specific health literacy assessment tool for older adults is the basis for conducting the research on health literacy among older adults. The existing health literacy assessment scale for older adults in Chinese mainland has some limitations, such as too many items and poor compliance during the survey. It is necessary to develop or introduce simplified assessment tools to support large-scale surveys in the future. This study aims to modify the brief health literacy assessment scale compiled by Taiwan scholars, and to conduct the test for the reliability, validity and the measurement equivalence across gender in the older population in mainland China. METHODS: From March to April 2021, 508 older adults from Jinan, Shandong Province, China were selected by cluster sampling method to conduct a questionnaire survey using the brief health literacy assessment scale and health-promoting lifestyle profile. After 4 weeks, 83 of them were selected for retesting. SPSS 25.0 statistical software was used for descriptive analysis, item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, correlation analysis, and reliability test, and Mplus 8.0 was used for confirmatory factor analysis and gender measurement equivalence test. RESULTS: Each item of the scale had good discrimination, and there were significant differences in the scores of each item between high score and low score groups (P<0.05), and the coefficient of correlation between the scores of each item and the total score was between 0.721 and 0.891. Exploratory factor analysis extracted a factor with a characteristic root greater than 1, and the cumulative variance interpretation amount was 67.94%. The confirmatory factor analysis showed that the single factor structure fit was good [χ2/df was 2.260, the Tucker-Lewis index was 0.973, the comparison fit index (CFI) was 0.982, and the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) was 0.071]. The multi-group confirmatory factor analysis results showed that the brief health literacy assessment scale's configural equivalence, weak equivalence, and strong equivalence models were all accepted. The comparison results of measurement equivalence models showed that the changes of RMSEA were less than 0.015, and the changes of CFI were less than 0.01, indicating that the brief health literacy assessment scale had measurement equivalence between different gender groups. Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.945, and the test-retest reliability was 0.946. The correlation coefficient between health literacy and health-promotion lifestyles was 0.557 (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The brief health literacy assessment scale has good reliability, validity, and measurement equivalence across gender, and can be used as an effective measurement tool for the health literacy of the older people in Chinese mainland.
Humans ; Aged ; Reproducibility of Results ; Health Literacy/methods* ; Psychometrics ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Asian People ; China ; Factor Analysis, Statistical

Health literacy is critical to improving individual and public health. However, indigenous perceptions of health are largely absent from Western-derived measurements, contributing to disparities in health outcomes between indigenous and non-indigenous populations. China is the country with the world's largest population and only officially introduced the term "health literacy" in 2008. Current measures of health literacy in China are primarily based on Western-derived constructs, which have been shown to have poor comparability to the unique dual medical system in China. Given its significant importance to health management globally, understanding health perceptions from a traditional Chinese medicine perspective is essential. This review explores the concept and core elements of indigenous health literacy, evaluates the existing definitions and measurement tools as applied to the concept, and proposes a new model of traditional Chinese medicine health literacy. Please cite this article as: Qian Z, Wang GY, Henning M, Chen Y. Understanding health literacy from a traditional Chinese medicine perspective. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(3): 215-220.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Health Literacy ; China

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