Possibilities of measuring the health literacy of seniors
Authors:
D. Beňadiková 1,2; I. Bóriková 1; T. Rapčíková 3
Authors‘ workplace:
Univerzita Komenského v Bratislave, Jesseniova lekárska fakulta v Martine, Ústav ošetrovateľstva, Vedúca: prof. Mgr. Katarina Žiaková, PhD.
1; Nemocnica AGEL Zvolen, a. s., Riaditeľka: Ing. Ľudmila Veselá, MBA
2; Slovenská zdravotnícka univerzita v Bratislave, Fakulta zdravotníctva so sídlom v Banskej Bystrici, Katedra ošetrovateľstva, Vedúca: prof. PhDr. Mária Šupínová, PhD.
3
Published in:
Prakt. Lék. 2023; 103(3): 146-150
Category:
Of different specialties
Overview
Aim: Search and analyse relevant research studies focused on the issue of health literacy of the senior population and find out which measurement tools are used most often in the European context.
Methods: The narrative literature review is the result of a content analysis of relevant studies from the full-text electronic databases ScienceDirect, PubMed and BiblioMedica CZ for the years 2011–2022. The total number of searched studies was 64, 45 were excluded, 19 studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in the final analysis.
Results: Most measuring instruments measure functional health literacy, the senior’s ability to correctly understand and use health information. The most frequently used standardized tools included the Health Activities Literacy Scale, European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire, Newest Vital Sign, and Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults. Other used included the eHealth Literacy Scale, Emotional Literacy Support Assistants, Health Literacy Management Scale, Health Literacy Questionnaire, National Assessment of Adult Literacy, and Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine.
Conclusion: In the field of health care and health promotion, it is important to objectively assess the level of health literacy with a reliable and valid measurement tool. A limited level of health literacy has a negative impact on the need and consumption of health services. The results of European studies are a starting point for research on this issue in the Slovak senior population as well.
Keywords:
health literacy – senior population – measurement tool
Sources
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General practitioner for children and adolescents General practitioner for adultsArticle was published in
General Practitioner
2023 Issue 3
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