Gender Differences in Health Literacy Among Korean Adults

Abstract

The role of gender in determining the level of health literacy in Korean adults is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the level of health literacy in Korean adults and identify factors associated with health literacy by gender. This study employed a cross-sectional survey design with a convenient sample of 585 community-dwelling Korean adults age19 years and older. Health literacy was measured by using eight items selected from Chew et al.’s 16-question self-reported health literacy measure. In accordance with Andersen’s health behavior model, predisposing, enabling, and need factors were included in the multiple regression model. Women indicated a higher level of health literacy than men in understanding medical forms, directions on medication bottles, and written information offered by health care providers. Additionally, for Korean women, a higher level of health literacy was associated with attaining a higher education level and having a consistent place to receive care. Unmarried men and men who had higher self-rated health reported a higher level of health literacy compared with their counterparts. Lower level of depression and higher monthly income were significantly linked to a higher level of health literacy in both men and women. This study has established the importance of gender differences in health literacy and suggests gender-specific intervention may be warranted to reduce the existing gap in health literacy in both Korean men and women. Future research should replicate this study to confirm whether or not our finding is an international phenomenon.

The Role of School Leaders’ Health Literacy for the Implementation of Health Promoting Schools

“…With regard to gender differences on health literacy, findings are mixed. While representative German surveys did not report any gender differences [27,28], there are also study findings indicating gender disparities on both functional health literacy [29] and generic health literacy [30]. Results from a national sample of British adults (n = 719) revealed that men were more likely to show a limited functional health literacy (OR: 2.04; 95% CI: 1.16-3.5) [29].…”

“…Secondly, there is a particular need for support especially for male school leaders, who are more often affected by limited health literacy than female respondents (36.5% vs. 26.9%). It is argued that these gender differences can be traced back to the traditional division of gender roles, which ascribes greater responsibility to women for the health of family members (e.g., child and elderly care) [30,57,58]. In addition, women make more frequent use of health promotion, prevention, and health care services compared to men, which could lead to women having greater health knowledge and greater routine in using the health care system [59,60].…”

“…Results from a national sample of British adults (n = 719) revealed that men were more likely to show a limited functional health literacy (OR: 2.04; 95% CI: 1.16-3.5) [29]. Moreover, in their study on generic health literacy with n = 585 Korean adults aged 19 years and older, Lee et al [30] reported that males had more problems in understanding medical forms, directions on medication bottles, and written information offered by health care providers. Regarding health outcomes, research findings demonstrate that limited functional health literacy is associated with harmful and risky health behaviour in adolescence (e.g., nutritional and dieting habits, physical and sedentary activity, substance use, smoking, and alcohol use), whereas higher levels of media health literacy were positively associated with more health promoting behaviours [31].…”

The Interpretation of Prescribed Medication Instructions by Diabetes Mellitus Patients at a Selected Clinic in the Capricorn District of Limpopo Province, South Africa: A Pilot Study

“…Furthermore, participants lacked information on taking medication correctly and hence medication non-compliance was observed. Patients with low health literacy have been shown to suffer less medication knowledge on how to comply with the medications for their diseases compared to those patients who have enough health literacy [11]. It is also evident in the study conducted by Zullig et al [1] that half of chronic diseases medications are estimated to be not taken as prescribed including diabetes mellitus medications.…”

Limited Knowledge of Acetaminophen in Patients with Liver Disease

“…Some studies have found females in a population to exhibit significantly higher health literacy than males 41. Previous studies assessing acetaminophen knowledge have found interesting gender differences as well, including that females are more likely to inform their doctor of current acetaminophen use and more likely to know the acetaminophen content of medications and the maximum recommended daily dose of acetaminophen 42,43.…”