Health Literacy Levels and Predictors Among Lebanese Adults Visiting Outpatient Clinics in Beirut.
Journal
Health literacy research and practice
ISSN: 2474-8307
Titre abrégé: Health Lit Res Pract
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101712185
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Oct 2021
Oct 2021
Historique:
entrez:
10
11
2021
pubmed:
11
11
2021
medline:
7
4
2022
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
To date, there has been a dearth of research on health literacy in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and in particular Lebanon. This cross-sectional study assessed the levels and correlates of health literacy in Lebanese adults. A total of 587 participants (54.5% women) were recruited from the outpatient clinics of five health facilities in Beirut. The questionnaire consisted of the Arabic version of the Functional Health literacy Scale, the Arabic short version of the European Health Literacy Survey, and questions on sociodemographic and health-related factors. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed to assess the association of these factors with functional health literacy (FHL) and comprehensive health literacy (CHL) levels. About 65.8% had inadequate or problematic FHL and 43.8% had inadequate or problematic CHL. Although FHL was negatively correlated with long-term illness, it was positively correlated with ability to pay and health status. CHL was positively correlated with education, income, ability to pay for treatment, health status, and FHL level, whereas it was negatively correlated with long-term illness. Binary logistic regression showed that low education, low socioeconomic status, and being a widow were predictive of inadequate FHL. Moreover, having inadequate FHL and low income increased the likelihood of having inadequate CHL. This study has identified those with risk factors for inadequate health literacy and unfavorable health outcomes. A national action plan can guide the promotion of health literacy and its embeddedness in society to instill competencies and the environment that would eliminate health inequities and sustain health in Lebanon.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
To date, there has been a dearth of research on health literacy in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and in particular Lebanon.
OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVE
This cross-sectional study assessed the levels and correlates of health literacy in Lebanese adults.
METHODS
METHODS
A total of 587 participants (54.5% women) were recruited from the outpatient clinics of five health facilities in Beirut. The questionnaire consisted of the Arabic version of the Functional Health literacy Scale, the Arabic short version of the European Health Literacy Survey, and questions on sociodemographic and health-related factors. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed to assess the association of these factors with functional health literacy (FHL) and comprehensive health literacy (CHL) levels.
KEY RESULTS
RESULTS
About 65.8% had inadequate or problematic FHL and 43.8% had inadequate or problematic CHL. Although FHL was negatively correlated with long-term illness, it was positively correlated with ability to pay and health status. CHL was positively correlated with education, income, ability to pay for treatment, health status, and FHL level, whereas it was negatively correlated with long-term illness. Binary logistic regression showed that low education, low socioeconomic status, and being a widow were predictive of inadequate FHL. Moreover, having inadequate FHL and low income increased the likelihood of having inadequate CHL.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
This study has identified those with risk factors for inadequate health literacy and unfavorable health outcomes. A national action plan can guide the promotion of health literacy and its embeddedness in society to instill competencies and the environment that would eliminate health inequities and sustain health in Lebanon.
Identifiants
pubmed: 34756119
doi: 10.3928/24748307-20211012-02
pmc: PMC8579750
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
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