Health literacy in Suriname

Evaluation of the Newborn Screening Pilot for Sickle Cell Disease in Suriname Using the Non-Adoption, Abandonment, Scale-Up, Spread, and Sustainability (NASSS) Framework

The early detection of sickle cell disease (SCD) is vital to reduce mortality among affected children. Suriname currently lacks a newborn screening programme (NSP) for SCD. We performed a pilot programme to evaluate the scalability of such an initiative. Dried blood spots were collected from five birth centres and subjected to electrophoresis analysis. The programme scalability was evaluated using the non-adoption, abandonment, scale-up, spread, and sustainability framework. Challenges across six domains (illness, technology, value proposition, adopter system, organisation, and societal system), were categorised hierarchically as simple 😊, complicated 😐, or complex 😢. It has been proven that implementing programmes with mainly complicated challenges is difficult and those in mainly complex areas may be unachievable. SCD was detected in 33 of 5185 (0.64%) successfully screened newborns. Most of the domains were classified as simple or complicated. Disease detection and technology suitability for screening in Suriname were confirmed, with favourable parental acceptance. Only minor routine adjustment was required from the medical staff for programme implementation. Complex challenges included a reliance on external suppliers for technical maintenance, ensuring timely access to specialised paediatric care for affected newborns, and securing sustainable financial funding. Scaling up is challenging but feasible, particularly with a targeted focus on identified complex challenges.

The low health literacy in Latin America and the Caribbean: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Health literacy (HL) impacts people's health and well-being. In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), there are no general estimates of the prevalence of low HL. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of low HL among citizens of LAC and identify the tools used to measure it.

METHODS

We included observational studies quantifying the prevalence of low HL in people living in LAC. We searched PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, ERIC, LILACS, PsycINFO, Redalyc, SciELO, Web of Science, PQDT, and the reference lists of the included studies in June 2023. Two reviewers independently conducted the selection, extraction, and risk of bias assessment using the JBI Critical Appraisal Tools. Meta-analysis of proportions using random effects models was used to summarize the prevalence of low HL estimated. This prevalence was measured in each study using different classification methods: word recognition items, reading and numeracy comprehension items, and self-reported comprehension items.

RESULTS

Eighty four studies involving 23,914 participants from 15 countries were included. We identified 23 tools to assess HL, and most of the studies were carried out in health services. The pooled prevalence of low HL were 44.02% (95%CI: 36.12-52.24) for reading and numeracy comprehension items, 50.62% (95%CI: 41.82-59.39) for word recognition items, and 41.73% (95%CI: 31.76-52.43) for self-reported comprehension items.

CONCLUSION

Despite the variability in the prevalence of low HL and a diversity of tools, the average of low HL is of concern. Almost half of the participants in the included studies have low HL. Most of the studies targeted users of healthcare services. Further research investigating the prevalence of low HL in the general population and actions focused on health education, communication, and information are necessary.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO (CRD42021250286).

The role of low health literacy in shared treatment decision-making in patients with kidney failure

The classic paternalist medicine in nephrology has been modified to a shared decision-making model that clearly offers a benefit in patients with kidney disease. One of the cornerstones of shared treatment decision in patients with kidney failure is the understanding of kidney disease. As kidney disease is silent until advanced stages and is also an entity with a complex pathophysiology with little knowledge in the general population, its presence and understanding are difficult for most people. Health literacy (HL) plays a crucial role in the care of patients with kidney disease and the shared treatment decision. Limited HL has been associated with inefficient use of health services, non-compliance of medications, worse quality of life and increased mortality. In this review, we will address the importance of low HL in nephrology in terms of diagnosis, measurement, its effect on shared decision-making and how to increase it in people with kidney disease.

Health literacy of cardiology patients: determinants and effects on patient outcomes

Health literacy is important for the management of chronic cardiovascular diseases. Comprehensive studies related to health literacy of cardiac patients are limited. The aims of this study were to determine the determinants of health literacy and its effects on patient outcomes in cardiology patients. The European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q- 47 items) was applied to 530 patients who presented to cardiology polyclinics of a university hospital in Ankara. Correlation coefficients, univariate and multi-linear regression analyses were used in the study. Determinants of health literacy were sex, education level, place of residence and perception of social status (p < .05). Although adjustments were made based on relevant control variables in multivariate analyses, health literacy was found to affect 14 of 26 patient outcomes within the scope of the study (p < .05). Higher education level and perception of social status, residing in the city center and being female were among the determinants of high health literacy. Higher health literacy was associated with more positive patient outcomes. Health literacy affected health behaviors and risks, drug use habits, health status, use of preventive health services and patient satisfaction.

Scoping health literacy in Latin America

Studies evaluating the influence of health literacy on patient behavior and outcomes suggest a positive relationship between health literacy and health knowledge, health behaviors, and health status. In Latin American countries, studies assessing health literacy are few, regional, and demonstrate considerable variation, with reported rates of adequate health literacy ranging from 5.0% to 73.3%. In this paper, we examine and explore the state of health literacy and efforts to promote it in Latin America. Key challenges to those efforts include socioeconomic inequality, social/geographic isolation, and cultural-, language-, and policy-related barriers, many of which disproportionately affect indigenous populations and others living in rural areas. Greater use of infographics, videos, and mobile apps may enhance health literacy and patient empowerment, especially when language barriers exist. This paper provides strategies and tools for tailored programming, examples of successful health literacy interventions, and policy recommendations to improve health literacy in Latin America, intending to spur additional discussion and action. Centrally organized collaboration across multiple sectors of society, with community involvement, will enhance health literacy and improve health and well-being across Latin America.

Health Literacy among Swedish Patients in Opioid Substitution Treatment: A Mixed-Methods Study

BACKGROUND

Poor health and unmet healthcare needs is common among people with substance use disorder (SUD) including patients in opioid substitution treatment (OST). Low health literacy (HL) is associated with poverty, low education and physical limitations, but is unexplored in an OST context.

METHODS

Mixed-methods were used. Participants were consecutively recruited by clinic staff or researcher, from five OST clinics in Malmö, Sweden, during September - November 2019. HL level was measured through HLS-EU-Q16 (n?=?286). Self-reported socioeconomic correlates of HL were analyzed through logistic regression. Patients' experiences of HL-related problems were assessed through six focus group interviews (n?=?23) moderated by an OST employee.

RESULTS

While 46% had sufficient HL (13-16 points of maximum 16), 32% did not receive a HL score due to too many missing answers. No correlates of sufficient HL level were found. Missing HL level was associated with low educational attainment (Ajusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.94; 95% Confidence interval [CI] 1.13-3.32) and negatively associated with employment (AOR 0.28; 95% CI 0.11-0.71). Qualitative data revealed a diversity in participants' self-assessed capabilities, and problems associated with access, comprehension, trust and dependency on addiction-specific services.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights that HL level is low, and identifies a number of concrete problems related to HL in the studied population. The results implicate a need for tailored interventions regarding health information among OST patients.

Hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control in Surinamese living in Suriname and The Netherlands: the HELISUR and HELIUS studies

We studied hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control among persons living in a middle-income country compared with those of similar ethnicity living in a high-income country. Data from the cross-sectional HELISUR and HELIUS studies were used among 1000 Surinamese and 6971 Surinamese migrants living in The Netherlands (18-70 years), respectively. Groups were formed based on country and self-defined ethnicity, and stratified by sex. Age-adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control. Subsequently, we focused on hypertension prevalence and adjusted for risk factors for hypertension: BMI and waist circumference (model 2), educational level, physical activity, and smoking (model 3). After adjustment for age, no significant differences in hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control between countries were seen in men. However, women in Suriname were more often hypertensive with lower levels of awareness and control than those in The Netherlands (African: OR 1.54 [95% CI 1.19, 2.00]; South-Asian: 1.90 [1.35, 2.67]; awareness: 0.62 [0.43, 0.88] in African women; control: 0.48 [0.28, 0.84] in South-Asian women). Higher hypertension prevalence was explained by differences in BMI and waist circumference in African women (adjusted OR 1.26 [0.96, 1.65]) and by education, physical activity, and smoking in South-Asian women (adjusted OR 1.29 [0.87, 1.89]). Particularly, women in Suriname bear a relatively high hypertension burden with lower levels of awareness and control. As the higher hypertension prevalence was mainly explained by lifestyle-related risk factors, health promotion interventions may reduce the hypertension burden in Suriname.

A Scoping Review of Health Literacy Measurement Tools in the Context of Cardiovascular Health

Background. Despite the strong link between health literacy and cardiovascular health outcomes, health literacy measurements remain flawed and fragmented. There exists a gap in the knowledge when formulating a valid measurement to capture the broad concept of health literacy. The existence of various tools for health literacy measurement also hampers the availability of health literacy data. Additionally, little research is available on a valid measurement tool for cardiovascular health literacy. Objective. This study aims to provide an overview of the health literacy measurement tools used in the context of cardiovascular health. Method. A scoping review was conducted. Two electronic databases, Medline and Embase, were searched to identify studies that described a tool for the measurement of health literacy in the context of cardiovascular health. Results. After reviewing the available studies, 53 studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 26 health literacy measurement tools were identified in the studies. Among the 26 tools, 16 used an objective measurement approach, 9 adopted a subjective approach, and 1 employed a mixed approach. Additionally, 28 studies used tools to measure print literacy, 15 studies measured print literacy and numeracy, and 5 studies measured print literacy, oral literacy, and numeracy. Conclusions. STOFHLA, TOFHLA, and REALM were the mostly commonly used tools in the selected studies. The majority of tools were based heavily on reading skills and word recognition. Researchers should focus on the development of more comprehensive and reliable health literacy measurement tool(s) specific to cardiovascular health to assist health care providers to more efficiently and accurately identify people with cardiovascular problems who have inadequate health literacy.

Health Literacy in School

Health literacy is a core element of patient-centered healthcare. Poor health literacy is a silent epidemic across the globe as it affects every aspect of health. Schools bear an important role in increasing health literacy. Improving health literacy in adolescence is supposed to improve the later life as adolescents are used to carry their modified behavior lifelong. Various school-based interventions covering physical and mental health have been studied and found to be effective. International bodies recommend incorporation of health-related tasks into school lessons and considered that teaching the young people will be a good investment for future. Multisectoral collaborations and locally proved effective strategies are the practical challenges. This chapter aims to focus on health literacy, global scenario of health literacy, measurement tools, role of school, interventions, limitations, and challenges of health literacy.