Determining the Health Literacy Levels and Attitudes of Individuals in Different Countries Towards Vaccination

Abstract

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Health literacy and COVID-19 vaccine acceptance worldwide: A systematic review

“…On the contrary, functional skills may have been challenged by complex terminologies and technical information provided by the media, which may explain the lower functional score, also among highly educated individuals. 28,34,35,47,50,53,55,57,59,[61][62][63] In this review, the highest scores for both functional and interactive-critical scales were found in patients who completed a university degree, supporting that a higher level of education is positively associated with a higher level of VL. 53,59,61 This is comparable with studies showing that education is the most determinant factor of HL and those who have a higher level of education have a higher level of COVID-19 VL.…”

“…The majority of studies found that HL is a significant factor in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. 28 , 47 , 50 , 52 , 53 , 55 – 57 , 59 The research also showed that HL is a predictor of vaccine hesitancy, and low HL skills might result in vaccine hesitancy when people find inadequate and inaccurate information about the COVID-19 vaccines on the internet. 29 , 47 The study in Turkey reported that the association between vaccine hesitancy and health system mistrust was mediated by HL.…”

“…The total mean scores from the HL scale were found to be significantly higher among civil servants ( p < 0.05). 50 The average total HL score for educators was 33.5 ± 7.61 from a study in Japan. 51 …”

“…On the contrary, functional skills may have been challenged by complex terminologies and technical information provided by the media, which may explain the lower functional score, also among highly educated individuals. 28 , 34 , 35 , 47 , 50 , 53 , 55 , 57 , 59 , 61 – 63 …”

“…The total mean scores from the HL scale were found to be significantly higher among civil servants (p < 0.05). 50 The average total HL score for educators was 33.5 ± 7.61 from a study in Japan. 51 In Israel, parents who intend to vaccinate their children had higher mean levels of VL (2.99 ± 0.47 versus 3.07 ± 0.44, respectively, p = 0.06), more positive perception of the vaccine (mean scores of 2.26 ± 0.75 versus 3.44 ± 0.68, respectively, p < 0.001), and lower perceived vaccine hesitancy (7.53 ± 2.37 versus 4.68 ± 2.71, respectively, p < 0.001) than parents who do not intend to do so.…”