Joanne Protheroe j.protheroe@keele.ac.uk
Health literacy, associated lifestyle and demographic factors in adult population of an English city: a cross-sectional survey
Protheroe, Jo; Whittle, Rebecca; Bartlam, Bernadette; Vida Estacio, Emee; Clark, Linda; Kurth, Judith
Authors
Rebecca Whittle
Bernadette Bartlam
Emee Vida Estacio
Linda Clark
Judith Kurth
Abstract
Background
Lower health literacy is a public health issue that follows a social gradient, potentially reinforcing existing health inequalities. However, levels of health literacy in particular populations can be unclear and are a key to identifying effective public health interventions. This research examined health literacy levels in Stoke-on-Trent, where 31.2% of the population live in areas classified amongst the 10% most deprived in England.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey using the Newest Vital Sign examined associations with demographic factors, lifestyle behaviours, Internet use and self-rated health. The sample (n = 1046) took account of variance in levels of health literacy by age, educational attainment and deprivation. Bivariate logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression were used to estimate associations with health literacy when adjusted for other demographic factors and lifestyle behaviours.
Results
Nine hundred and seventy-two respondents completed the health literacy measure (93%): 277 (28.5%) scored low, 228 (23.5%) scored marginal and 467 (48.0%) scored adequate. Associations with higher rates of limited health literacy included older age, lower educational level, lower income, perceived poor health and lack of access to the Internet.
Conclusions
Given the complexity of factors influencing health literacy interdisciplinary approaches across health and social care and the voluntary sector are essential in identifying and developing appropriate interventions.
Citation
Protheroe, J., Whittle, R., Bartlam, B., Vida Estacio, E., Clark, L., & Kurth, J. (2016). Health literacy, associated lifestyle and demographic factors in adult population of an English city: a cross-sectional survey. Health Expectations, 20(1), 112-119. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.12440
Journal Article Type | Article |
---|---|
Acceptance Date | Nov 30, 2015 |
Online Publication Date | Jan 15, 2016 |
Publication Date | 2016-02 |
Journal | Health Expectations |
Print ISSN | 1369-6513 |
Publisher | Wiley |
Peer Reviewed | Peer Reviewed |
Volume | 20 |
Issue | 1 |
Pages | 112-119 |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.12440 |
Keywords | health literacy, inequalities, public health |
Publisher URL | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/hex.12440 |
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Publisher Licence URL
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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