Health Literacy Measurements with The Newest Vital Sign Instrument Among Adolescents from Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Introduction: Assuring high quality health literacy for adolescents is important in the United Arab Emirates to facilitate government's Vision 2021 objectives of superior health and intellectual attainment of young people, as well as to reduce very high prevalence of adolescent obesity and other behavioural and dietary risk factors for health. Methods: In mid-2016, the authors applied the validated Newest Vital Sign Health Literacy instrument to 440 Emirati nationals and Non-Emirati (expatriate) high school students in grades 7 to 12 with mean age of 14 years in Dubai, UAE. Results: This study indicates that the mean literacy score was 2.7/6 and that 27.95% were highly likely to suffer from limited health literacy, 38.64% of respondents were possibly literate, and while 33.41% were highly literate. Emirati females demonstrated higher health literacy compared with males (3.26, 95%, CI: 2.94 -3.57 Vs 2.67, CI: 3.30 -3.04). Non-Emirati male (2.73, 95% CI: 2.43 -3.02) demonstrated higher health literacy compared with Emirati male. In contrast, Emirati female demonstrated higher health literacy compared with Non-Emirati female (2.36, 95% CI: 2.07 -2.65). There was no significant difference in health literacy scores related to school grade. Conclusion: These findings indicate a low percentage of highly health literate UAE adolescents, highlighting the need to improve health literacy training among UAE adolescents, and especially among Emirati males.

Trends in the prevalence of twenty health indicators among adolescents in United Arab Emirates: cross-sectional national school surveys from 2005, 2010 and 2016

“…In 2004, the national health promoting school network was implemented in UAE, including the promotion of healthy behaviour (diet, physical activity, safety, mental, emotional and social health, comprehensive screening [ 21 ]. In a recent study among adolescents in Dubai, UAE, more than one in four had limited health literacy, calling for health literacy training among UAE adolescents [ 22 ]. A strengthening of the health promotion school activities is indicated in order to improve on some of health indicators.…”

‘The newest vital sign among pregnant women attending women wellness and research Centre in Qatar: a cross-sectional study’

“…The Newest Vital Sign has also been revealed to be a reliable and valid instrument in Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch [ 24 – 26 ]. The ‘Newest Vital Sign’ was translated and adapted to the Arabic language and tested for cultural suitability [ 27 , 28 ]. It is one of the most frequently adapted tools to assess health literacy in the Eastern Mediterranean Region [ 29 ].…”

Determination of Health Literacy in Different Generations

“…The majority of Generation Z had marginal or inadequate HL levels. Awofeso et al 24 found that HL levels were moderate in their study of adolescents, while Berens et al 6 found that HL levels of almost half of adolescents were inadequate and problematic. It is known that children with lower HL levels are often associated with poorer health behaviors.…”

“…However in some research, the correlation between health behaviors of adolescents and their HL scores has been positive. [23][24][25] Thus, it is of importance that HL levels of Generation Z members who are in the adolescent period should be improved. McDaid 26 writes that effective HL interventions can positively influence education and academic performance, which can have long-term benefits across the life course.…”