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Berete F, Gisle L, Demarest S, Charafeddine R, Bruyère O, Van den Broucke S, Van der Heyden J. Does health literacy mediate the relationship between socioeconomic status and health related outcomes in the Belgian adult population? BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1182. [PMID: 38678179 PMCID: PMC11055376 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18676-7] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health literacy (HL) has been put forward as a potential mediator through which socioeconomic status (SES) affects health. This study explores whether HL mediates the relation between SES and a selection of health or health-related outcomes. METHODS Data from the participants of the Belgian health interview survey 2018 aged 18 years or older were individually linked with data from the Belgian compulsory health insurance (n = 8080). HL was assessed with the HLS-EU-Q6. Mediation analyses were performed with health behaviour (physical activity, diet, alcohol and tobacco consumption), health status (perceived health status, mental health status), use of medicine (purchase of antibiotics), and use of preventive care (preventive dental care, influenza vaccination, breast cancer screening) as dependent outcome variables, educational attainment and income as independent variables of interest, age and sex as potential confounders and HL as mediating variable. RESULTS The study showed that unhealthy behaviours (except alcohol consumption), poorer health status, higher use of medicine and lower use of preventive care (except flu vaccination) were associated with low SES (i.e., low education and low income) and with insufficient HL. HL partially mediated the relationship between education and health behaviour, perceived health status and mental health status, accounting for 3.8-16.0% of the total effect. HL also constituted a pathway by which income influences health behaviour, perceived health status, mental health status and preventive dental care, with the mediation effects accounting for 2.1-10.8% of the total effect. CONCLUSIONS Although the influence of HL in the pathway is limited, our findings suggest that strategies for improving various health-related outcomes among low SES groups should include initiatives to enhance HL in these population groups. Further research is needed to confirm our results and to better explore the mediating effects of HL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Finaba Berete
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, Brussels, 1050, Belgium.
- Department of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
| | - Lydia Gisle
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, Brussels, 1050, Belgium
| | - Stefaan Demarest
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, Brussels, 1050, Belgium
| | - Rana Charafeddine
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, Brussels, 1050, Belgium
| | - Olivier Bruyère
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Aspects of Musculoskeletal Health and Ageing Research Unit in Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liege, Liège, Belgium
| | | | - Johan Van der Heyden
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, Brussels, 1050, Belgium
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Klüwer B, Gleditsch R, Rydland KM, Mamelund SE, Laake I. Higher educational attainment associated with higher confidence in influenza vaccination in Norway. Vaccine 2024; 42:2837-2847. [PMID: 38519343 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.03.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
AIMS To explore public confidence in influenza vaccination through the use of attitudinal indicators, and study whether educational attainment is related to attitudes towards influenza vaccination. METHODS Confidence in influenza vaccination was measured with three questions adapted from the Vaccine Confidence Project. These questions have been included in four study years of a Norwegian nationally representative telephone survey that cover influenza seasons 2016/17, 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22. Over these four years, a total of 8 436 individuals aged 18-79 years responded to the survey and are included in the analysis. Risk differences (RDs) with 95 % confidence intervals were estimated using multivariable Poisson regression. RESULTS Influenza vaccine confidence increased over time, with approximately 80 % of the general population expressing trust in the vaccine in the 2021/22 season. There was a tendency towards higher confidence in the oldest age group (65-79 years). Moreover, confidence increased with increasing educational attainment. The proportion of participants who agreed that influenza vaccine is compatible with their basic values was close to 20 percentage points lower among those with only compulsory education than among those with higher education at graduate level, RD = -18.4 % (95 % CI -21.4 % to -15.5 %). Educational attainment was consistently associated with influenza vaccine confidence in all seasons, among risk groups 18-64 years, and among health care workers. CONCLUSIONS We observed an increase in confidence in influenza vaccination over the seasons examined in the study. However, the increase has not been equal in all groups and there is a clear educational gradient in influenza vaccine confidence. These findings indicate that despite efforts to increase influenza coverage over several years, the implemented measures have failed to reach all parts of the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgitte Klüwer
- Division of Infection Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Rebecca Gleditsch
- Division of Infection Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Kjersti Margrethe Rydland
- Division of Infection Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Svenn-Erik Mamelund
- Centre for Research on Pandemics & Society, Oslo Metropolitan University, Senter for velferds- og arbeidslivsforskning, OsloMet - storbyuniversitetet, Postboks 4, St. Olavs plass, 0130 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Ida Laake
- Division of Infection Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213 Oslo, Norway.
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Biasio LR, Zanobini P, Lorini C, Bonaccorsi G. Perspectives in the Development of Tools to Assess Vaccine Literacy. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:422. [PMID: 38675804 PMCID: PMC11054371 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12040422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Vaccine literacy (VL) is the ability to find, understand, and evaluate vaccination-related information to make appropriate decisions about immunization. The tools developed so far for its evaluation have produced consistent results. However, some dimensions may be underestimated due to the complexity of factors influencing VL. Moreover, the heterogeneity of methods used in studies employing these tools hinders a comprehensive understanding of its role even more. To overcome these limitations, a path has been sought to propose new instruments. This has necessitated updating earlier literature reviews on VL and related tools, exploring its relationship with vaccine hesitancy (VH), and examining associated variables like beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors towards immunization. Based on the current literature, and supported by the re-analysis of a dataset from an earlier study, we propose a theoretical framework to serve as the foundation for creating future assessment tools. These instruments should not only evaluate the psychological factors underlying the motivational aspect of VL, but also encompass knowledge and competencies. The positioning of VL in the framework at the intersection between sociodemographic antecedents and attitudes, leading to behaviors and outcomes, explains why and how VL can directly or indirectly influence vaccination decisions by countering VH and operating at personal, as well as at organizational and community levels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrizio Zanobini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (P.Z.); (C.L.); (G.B.)
| | - Chiara Lorini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (P.Z.); (C.L.); (G.B.)
| | - Guglielmo Bonaccorsi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (P.Z.); (C.L.); (G.B.)
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Xie W, Xiao J, Chen J, Huang H, Huang X, He S, Xu L. Impact of health education on promoting influenza vaccination health literacy in primary school students: a cluster randomised controlled trial protocol. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e080115. [PMID: 38609315 PMCID: PMC11033629 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Influenza is a major public health threat, and vaccination is the most effective prevention method. However, vaccination coverage remains suboptimal. Low health literacy regarding influenza vaccination may contribute to vaccine hesitancy. This study aims to evaluate the effect of health education interventions on influenza vaccination rates and health literacy. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This cluster randomised controlled trial will enrol 3036 students in grades 4-5 from 20 primary schools in Dongguan City, China. Schools will be randomised to an intervention group receiving influenza vaccination health education or a control group receiving routine health education. The primary outcome is the influenza vaccination rate. Secondary outcomes include health literacy levels, influenza diagnosis rate, influenza-like illness incidence and vaccine protection rate. Data will be collected through questionnaires, influenza surveillance and self-reports at baseline and study conclusion. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval has been sought from the Ethics Committee of the School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University. Findings from the study will be made accessible to both peer-reviewed journals and key stakeholders. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT06048406.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiguang Xie
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Dongguan City, Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China
| | | | | | - Hanzhong Huang
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Dongguan City, Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xuehua Huang
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Dongguan City, Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Shaoyi He
- Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lin Xu
- Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Zanobini P, Bonaccorsi G, Giusti M, Minardi V, Possenti V, Masocco M, Garofalo G, Mereu G, Cecconi R, Lorini C. Health literacy and breast cancer screening adherence: results from the population of Tuscany, Italy. Health Promot Int 2023; 38:daad177. [PMID: 38146742 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daad177] [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] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammographic screening can reduce breast cancer (BC) mortality in women. In Italy, although attendance rates increased recently, they are still far from the recommended levels internationally. Inadequate health literacy (HL) may be a reason for poor awareness and/or knowledge about the importance of completing cancer screening. This study examined the relationship between HL, other sociodemographic determinants, and their influence on participation in both opportunistic and organized BC screenings among women aged 50-69 in Tuscany. The study analyzed 2017-2019 data from the Tuscan population subsample in the Italian Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System PASSI (Progressi delle Aziende Sanitarie per la Salute in Italia). HL was assessed using the Italian version of the six-item European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q6). Among the 2250 interviewees, 75.3% underwent the organized BC screening and 9.4% on voluntary basis. Although to a different extent, HL was significantly associated to compliance rates with both opportunistic and organized screenings. Among sociodemographic factors, only occupational status was associated with opportunistic screening attendance rates. As expected, being invited by letter resulted to be strongly associated with participation to organized screening programs and the medical advice predicts for participating to both opportunistic and organized screening. This study highlights the relevant role that HL plays in BC, opportunistic and organized, screening adherence in a universal healthcare system. To increase BC screening participation rates, healthcare systems would benefit by implementing interventions for improved HL at population level or within healthcare organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizio Zanobini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Guglielmo Bonaccorsi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Martina Giusti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Valentina Minardi
- Centro Nazionale per la Prevenzione delle Malattie e la Promozione della Salute, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Possenti
- Centro Nazionale per la Prevenzione delle Malattie e la Promozione della Salute, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Masocco
- Centro Nazionale per la Prevenzione delle Malattie e la Promozione della Salute, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Garofalo
- Department of Prevention, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (AUSL) Toscana Centro, Piazza Santa Maria Nuova 1, 50122 Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanna Mereu
- Department of Prevention, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (AUSL) Toscana Centro, Piazza Santa Maria Nuova 1, 50122 Florence, Italy
| | - Rossella Cecconi
- Department of Prevention, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (AUSL) Toscana Centro, Piazza Santa Maria Nuova 1, 50122 Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Lorini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
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Bengoa Terrero C, Bas Villalobos M, Rodríguez-Moñino AP, Lasheras Carbajo MD, Pérez-Villacastín J, García Torrent MJ, Sánchez-Del-Hoyo R, Bengoa San Sebastian E, García Lledó A. Effect of Primary Care Center Characteristics, Healthcare Worker Vaccination Status and Patient Economic Setting on Patient Influenza Vaccination Coverage Rates. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1025. [PMID: 37376414 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11061025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reaching the public health organizations targets of influenza vaccination in at-risk patient groups remains a challenge worldwide. Recognizing the relationship between the healthcare system characteristics and the economic environment of the population with vaccination uptake can be of great importance to improve. METHODS Several characteristics were correlated in this retrospective ecological study with data from 6.8 million citizens, 15,812 healthcare workers across 258 primary care health centers, and average income by area of the care center in Spain. RESULTS No correlation between HCW vaccination status and patient vaccination was found. A weak negative significant correlation between the size of the population the care center covers and their vaccination status did exist (6 mo.-59 yr., r = 0.19, p = 0.002; 60-64 yr., r = 0.23, p < 0.001; ≥65 yr., r = 0.23, p ≥ 0.001). The primary care centers with fewer HCWs had better uptake in the at-risk groups in the age groups of 60-64 yr. (r = 0.20, p = 0.002) and ≥65 (r = 0.023, p ≥ 0.001). A negative correlation was found regarding workload in the 6 mo.-59 yr. age group (r = 0.18, p = 0.004), which showed the at-risk groups that lived in the most economically deprived areas were more likely to be vaccinated. CONCLUSIONS This study reveals that the confounding variables that determine influenza vaccination in a population and in HCWs are complex. Future influenza campaigns should address these especially considering the possibility of combining influenza and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines each year.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Rafael Sánchez-Del-Hoyo
- Unidad de Apoyo Metodológico a la Investigación, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IdISSC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Alberto García Lledó
- Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Príncipe de Asturias, Alcalá de Henares, 28805 Madrid, Spain
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Lastrucci V, Puglia M, Pacifici M, Buscemi P, Sica M, Alderotti G, Belli G, Berti E, Rusconi F, Voller F. Delayed Start of Routine Vaccination in Preterm and Small-for-Gestational-Age Infants: An Area-Based Cohort Study from the Tuscany Region, Italy. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10091414. [PMID: 36146491 PMCID: PMC9503094 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10091414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Preterm and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants are more susceptible to vaccine-preventable diseases. To evaluate routine vaccination timeliness in these high-risk groups, a full birth cohort of infants (n = 41,502) born in 2017 and 2018 in Tuscany was retrospectively followed up until 24 months of age. Infants were classified by gestational age (GA) and SGA status. The vaccinations included: hexavalent (HEXA), measles-mumps-rubella, varicella, pneumococcal conjugate (PCV), and meningococcal C conjugate. Time-to-event (Kaplan–Meier) analyses were conducted to evaluate the timing of vaccination according to GA; logistic models were performed to evaluate the associations between GA and SGA with vaccination timeliness. Time-to-event analyses show that the rate of delayed vaccine receipt increased with decreasing GA for all the vaccinations, with a less marked gradient in later vaccine doses. Compared to full-term infants, very preterm infants significantly showed an increased odds ratio (OR) for delayed vaccination in all the vaccinations, while moderate/late preterm infants only showed an increased OR for HEXA-1, HEXA-3, PCV-1, and PCV-3. SGA infants had a significantly higher risk of delayed vaccination only for HEXA-1 and PCV-1 compared to non-SGA infants. In conclusion, vaccinations among preterm and SGA infants showed considerable delay. Tailored public health programs to improve vaccination timeliness are required in these high-risk groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vieri Lastrucci
- Epidemiology Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini 24, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Monia Puglia
- Observatory of Epidemiology, Regional Health Agency of Tuscany, Via Pietro Dazzi, 1, 50141 Florence, Italy
| | - Martina Pacifici
- Observatory of Epidemiology, Regional Health Agency of Tuscany, Via Pietro Dazzi, 1, 50141 Florence, Italy
| | - Primo Buscemi
- Medical Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Michela Sica
- Epidemiology Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini 24, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Giorgia Alderotti
- Epidemiology Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini 24, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Gilda Belli
- Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Toscana Centro, Piazza Santa Maria Nuova, 1, 50122 Firenze, Italy
| | - Elettra Berti
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini 24, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Franca Rusconi
- Department of Mother and Child Health, Azienda USL Toscana Nord Ovest, Via Cocchi 7/9, 56121 Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Voller
- Observatory of Epidemiology, Regional Health Agency of Tuscany, Via Pietro Dazzi, 1, 50141 Florence, Italy
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