Does health literacy mediate the relationship between socioeconomic status and health outcomes?

Background

Health literacy (HL) has been hypothesized as one of the mediators in the pathway through which socioeconomic status (SES) affects health outcomes. This study explores whether HL mediates the relation between SES and a selection of health(-related) outcomes.

Methods

Data from the participants of the Belgian health interview survey 2018 aged 15 years and over were individually linked with data from the Belgian compulsory health insurance (n = 6878). HL was assessed with the HLS-EU-Q6. Mediation analyses were performed using the SES as independent variables, health(-related) outcomes as dependent variables and HL as mediating variable.

Results

People with low SES were less likely to have preventive dental care (PDC), breast cancer screening (BCS), enough physical activity, good nutritional habits, good self-rated health (SRH). In contrast, they were more likely to use antibiotics and antidepressants. A positive correlation was found between HL and PDC, good nutritional habits, physical activity and SRH, but a negative correlation with use of antidepressants. HL partially mediated the association between SES and PDC, use of antidepressants, nutritional habits, physical activity and SRH. In the relationship between these outcomes and education, the mediation effect of HL accounted significantly for 4.4% to 15.4% of the total effect, while it accounted significantly for 4.2% to 12.0% of the total effect in the relationship with income. There was no significant mediating contribution of HL in the pathway by which SES affects influenza vaccination uptake and BCS.

Conclusions

Although the influence of HL in the pathway is limited, the findings suggest that strategies for improving various health(-related) outcomes among low SES groups may benefit from attention to HL. The low percentage mediated for the use of antidepressants might suggest a shared decision between physician and patients.

Key messages

• HL partially mediates the association between SES and PDC, use of antidepressants, nutritional habits, physical activity and SRH. Improving HL might reduce SES disparities in these areas.

• No mediating effects for influenza vaccination uptake and BCS, indicating a possible influence of the universal health coverage in place.

Response patterns in the Belgian health interview survey: web versus face-to-face mode

Background

Potential is seen in web data collection for population health surveys due to a combination of its cost-effectiveness and ease of implementation and the increased internet penetration rates. Nonetheless, web modes may lead to lower and more selective unit response rates than traditional modes such as face-to-face (F2F) interviewing and hence may increase bias in the measured indicators. This research assesses the response patterns of a web versus F2F study.

Methods

A Belgian health interview survey by web (BHISWEB; net sample=1010) was organized parallel to the traditional F2F BHIS 2018 (BHIS2018; net sample=11611; subsample used in this study=2748). Socio-demographic data on invited individuals were obtained from the national register and census linkages. To address the high item-missingness on education level deriving from the census, multiple imputation (m = 20) was applied. Unit response rates considering the different sampling probabilities of both surveys were calculated. Logistic regression analyses examined the impact of mode (web vs. F2F) and interactions between mode and socio-demographic characteristics on unit response.

Results

The unit response rate was significantly lower in the BHISWEB (18.0% (95% CI: 17.0-19.1)) than in the BHIS2018 (43.1% (95% CI: 41.5-44.7)). A lower web versus F2F response rate was found among all socio-demographic groups, however, this lower web response was less pronounced among youngsters, people cohabiting with household members, higher educated people and native Belgians.

Conclusions

The F2F unit response rate was generally higher, yet for certain groups the difference between web versus F2F was smaller. It is therefore worthwhile to experiment with adaptive mixed-mode designs to optimize resources without increasing selection bias; e.g. only inviting socio-demographic groups more eager to participate online for web surveys (e.g. youngsters) while remaining to focus on increasing the F2F response rates for other groups.

Key messages

The advantages of web versus F2F interviewing come against its considerable lower unit response rate. Differences in unit non-response between web and F2F vary between socio-demographic groups.

Effectiveness of protective measures on dental care utilization: analysis from linked database

Background

Financial accessibility to healthcare is a cornerstone in the Belgian health care system. A whole range of financial protectives measures are applied to ensure accessibility to all residents by minimizing the medical costs including a higher reimbursement for vulnerable population groups and protective measures for people with high health expenses due to chronic diseases. This study examines the effectiveness of such protective measures on the use of dental care among a representative sample of Belgian adults.

Methods

Data from the participants of the Belgian health interview survey (BHIS) 2013 aged 18 years and over were individually linked with data from the Belgian compulsory health insurance data (BCHI), (n = 8,668). Multivariate logistic regression was applied to assess the impact of the financial measures on the use of dental care.

Results

Five percent of the population reported having delayed dental care in the past 12 months due to financial barriers. Results from the multivariate model show that irrespective of gender, age, and educational level, individuals who have preferential reimbursement are more likely to postpone their dental care (OR = 3.32, 95% CI: 1.87-5.92), while those who can account on measures for high health expenses due to chronic diseases are less likely to do so (but not significantly).

Conclusions

Findings suggest that vulnerable people have more postponement despite the fact that they have a preferential reimbursement and, high expenses as a result of chronic diseases are not associated with more postponement of dental care. More targeted financial interventions should be necessary to reduce postponement of dental service utilization.

Key messages

Current health interventions are not yet effective for vulnerable people in dental care use. High expenses as a result of chronic diseases are not associated with more postponement of dental care.

Predictors of nursing-home entry for elders in Belgium

Background

Due to the aging of the population the demand for long-term care services is expected to rise during the coming years. For a better planning of health care resources policy makers have to be aware of risk factors associated to nursing home entry (NHE). The present study aims to identify predictors of NHE in a representative sample of Belgian community dwelling older residents.

Methods

Date from the participants of the Belgian health interview survey (BHIS) 2013 aged 65 years and over were individually linked with longitudinal data from the Belgian compulsory health insurance data (BCHI) over a 5-year period (2012-2017). Institutionalized BHIS participants were excluded, resulting in a final database of 1,927 individuals. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was fit to estimate the hazard of NHE. The model examined the hazard of NHE over the follow-up period in function of predisposing, enabling and need variables observed at baseline. All analyses were done using SAS 9.3 taking into account the survey design settings.

Results

Over the follow-up period, 169 out of 1,927 individuals entered in NH (56% males, mean age =74.7±0.25). Significant predictors of NHE were older age (hazard ratio (HR) =2.40, CI = 1.23-4.67 and HR = 6.19, 95% CI = 2.75-13.92, respectively for 75-84 years and 85+ years compared to 65-74 years), living condition (HR = 4.28, 95% CI = 1.01-18.19 for living alone), severity of limitation in ADLs (HR = 2.61, 95% CI = 1.39-4.88 for moderate limitation and HR = 2.40, 95% CI = 1.10-5.26 for severe limitation, compared to those without limitation).

Conclusions

Apart from age and living condition, the ADLs limitations were the strongest predictors of NHE. Public health action to reduce NHE of older people should first of all focus on preventive action at middle age which will reduce activity limitations at later age.

Key messages

Risk profiles for NHE are highly dependent individuals. NH should be more specialized with qualified professionals.