Pimentel SM, de Avila MAG, de Medeiros VDA, Prata RA, Nunes HRDC, da Silva JB. Factors related to health literacy among Brazilian adolescents: cross-sectional study.
Rev Esc Enferm USP 2024;
58:e20230310. [PMID:
38407465 PMCID:
PMC10896200 DOI:
10.1590/1980-220x-reeusp-2023-0310en]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the relationship between sociodemographic and clinical factors with health literacy in Brazilian adolescents.
METHOD
This is a cross-sectional study with 526 adolescents aged 14 to 19. Data were collected virtually between July and September 2021 using a sociodemographic characterization questionnaire, clinical profile and the Health Literacy Assessment Tool - Portuguese version. The variables were evaluated by multiple linear regression with normal response, with significance p < 0.05.
RESULTS
The average age was 16.9 years (±1.6), the average health literacy score was 25.3 (±5.4). Female gender (p = 0.014), university educational level (p = 0.002) and use of medication (p = 0.020) were related to higher levels of health literacy. Adolescents with chronic illnesses had a higher total literacy score, on average 1.51 points, compared to those without chronic illnesses.
CONCLUSION
Male adolescents and those with less education performed worse in health literacy and, therefore, deserve special attention in health promotion actions.
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