Health Literacy in Female – Association with Socioeconomic Factors and Effects on Reproductive Health

Health literacy as a predictor of cardiovascular disease risk factor knowledge level among women in Turkey: A community-based cross-sectional study

While more common in men globally, heart diseases also rank as the leading cause of death among women. This study aimed to examine the relationship between Turkish women's level of knowledge about cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and their health literacy. Data for this descriptive and cross-sectional study were collected online by using Health Literacy Scale and CVD risk factor knowledge level scale from October 2022, to May 2023. The study sample consisted of 409 women. It was found that the total score average of the women on the CVD risk factor knowledge level was 20.65 ± 4.72 and the Health Literacy Scale was 107.06 ± 16.01. There was a moderate, significantly positive correlation between CVD knowledge levels and health literacy (r = .548, P = .000). It was found that women with high health literacy also had increased knowledge levels. Furthermore, all health literacy dimensions of access to information (P < .001), understanding information (P < .001), appraisal/evaluation (P < .001), and implementation (P < .001) were detected as the predictors of CVD risk factor knowledge levels. Factors such as educational level and economic status significantly influenced scores on both scales (P < .05). The study's findings highlight the challenges encountered by women with low socioeconomic status in accessing accurate information. It may be recommended that nurses provide health education and consultancy services to these women on the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases. Also, public education programs should consider socioeconomic and educational levels, focusing on women who encounter difficulties accessing information.

Predictors of eHealth literacy levels among nursing students: A descriptive and correlational study

AIM

The aim of the present study was to determine the eHealth literacy levels of nursing students and to predict the influencing factors of eHealth literacy.

BACKGROUND

It is essential for nursing students, as the future workforce of the nursing profession, to have proficient ehealth literacy skills.

DESIGN

This study was conducted as a descriptive and correlational study.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 1059 nursing students at nursing departments of two state universities in Ankara, Turkey. The data were collected by a questionnaire and the eHealth Literacy Scale. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the data.

RESULTS

The mean age of the students was 21.14 ± 1.62 years and 86.2% were female. The mean eHealth literacy score of the students was 29.28 ± 4.73. T Fourth year students had higher eHealth literacy scores than those in any other year of study (p < 0.001). Students who use the Internet frequently and always, those who search for health-related information on the Internet, those who find accessing health information on the Internet important, and those who find the Internet useful when making health-decisions had significantly high eHealth literacy scores (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study revealed that the majority of the nursing students displayed a moderate eHealth literacy level. Academic level, frequency of Internet use, and search for health-related information on the Internet impacted the eHealth literacy of the students. Therefore, eHealth literacy concepts should be integrated into nursing curricula to improve nursing students' skills in using information technology and to increase their health literacy level.

Health Literacy Levels of Women and Related Factors in Turkey

BACKGROUND

Health literacy is a complex issue affecting the health outcomes of women and their families.

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to determine the health literacy levels and related factors of women attending various courses in family centers of a municipality.

METHODS

This cross-sectional research was conducted on a sample of women enrolled in various courses at eight family centers in a city center. The sample consisted of 837 women who agreed to participate. The participation rate was 76%. Two different health literacy scales were used to collect data for analysis.

RESULTS

Of the women, 50.4% were over 40 years old, 35.2% were high school graduates, 89.6% were not working, 53.2% self-reported their monthly income as equal to their monthly expenses, 88.8% had social security, 28.4% had chronic diseases, 29.2% used medication regularly, 35.2% had visual problems, 7.8% had hearing problems, and 77.9% used the internet. According to the results of the Turkish Health Literacy Scale, 45.9% of the participants were in the inadequate category, 30.6% were in the inadequate and limited category, 16.0% were in the adequate category, and 7.4% were in the excellent category. Women aged 40 years and over, those who were elementary school graduates, those who had visual and hearing problems, those who used eyewear, those whose monthly income was less than expenses, and those who were non-internet users respectively had mean health literary scores that were significantly below the mean score for all participants (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The largest number of participants was categorized has having a "low-insufficient" level of health literacy. Age, educational level, income, having visual and hearing problems, wearing glasses, and internet use were found to affect level of health literacy. For this reason, factors such as age, educational level, income, vision and hearing problems, use of eyeglasses, and internet use should be considered when planning initiatives to increase health literacy in women.

Relationship Between Socio-Demographic Characteristics, Reproductive Health Behaviors, and Health Literacy of Women in Serbia

Introduction: Health literacy of women can significantly affect different aspects of reproductive health. The aim of this study was the assessment of relationship of health literacy, socio-demographic characteristics and reproductive health behaviors of women in Serbia.

Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study on a random sample of women aged 18 and over from the territories of three Serbian regions, stratified according to age groups, region and type of settlement. A standardized version of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47) was used in assessing health literacy of women.

Results: Based on the calculated index of health literacy, 9.6% of respondents had inadequate health literacy. Inadequate levels of health literacy were more common in women living in rural areas (OR = 1.111) and the poorer classes (OR = 5.122). Employed women (OP = 1.249), with good health (OR = 1.512) with a degree (OR = 1.535) had bigger odds to have adequate health literacy. Multivariate regression analysis showed the following significant predictors: commitment to the chosen gynecologist (OR = 1.530), contraceptive use (OR = 1.020), knowledge of the damages that could be caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) (OR = 1.578), awareness of vaccine availability against HPV infection (OR = 1.217) and following the health-related topics (OR = 2.350).

Conclusion: Limited levels of health literacy were significantly higher among middle-aged women, among those living in rural areas, among women who rated their health as poor or very poor, and who exhibited more negative patterns of reproductive health behavior, indicating the need for implementation of prevention programs and strategies with the aim of increasing the level of health literacy.