Measuring conceptual health knowledge in the context of oral health literacy: preliminary results

Abstract

Objectives Health literacy encompasses several abilities including word recognition, reading comprehension, communication skills, and conceptual knowledge. To date, conceptual knowledge has not been included in oral health literacy research. This study assesses the validity and reliability of a new instrument and describes conceptual oral health knowledge among a sample of low-income adults. Methods One hundred Baltimore adults were administered the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM), Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (Short-TOFHLA), and a new survey of conceptual oral health knowledge. Respondents were also asked about sociodemographics, dental health, and utilization. Results Psychometric analysis was used to identify a subset of oral health knowledge questions from the new survey instrument. The resulting Comprehensive Measure of Oral Health Knowledge (CMOHK) was categorized into three levels of knowledge (poor, fair, good). Nearly one-third of Baltimore adults exhibited the lowest level. CMOHK scores were significantly associated with age, education level, and word recognition (REALM). CMOHKs cores were not associated with reading comprehension (Short-TOFHLA) or dental care visits. Instrument reliability was good (Cronbach alpha = 0.74). Conclusions This preliminary study yielded a new measure of oral health conceptual knowledge, available for use in future oral health literacy studies. The author presents a conceptual framework of oral health literacy that separates health literacy into four unique components and places decision-making at the center. Future studies are needed to determine whether this framework is supported by empirical data and leads to improvements in oral health and reductions in health disparities.

Measurement of Oral Health Literacy Level Among Bangladeshi Adults Seeking Dental Care and Its Relationship With Socio-demographic Characteristics

“…Comprehensive measures of oral health knowledge scores were significantly associated with age, education level, and annual household income. 6 In this study, highly significant associations were found between patients' age, education, monthly income and oral health literacy level (P=0.000). In another analytic study, their mean age was 26.6 years (SDo=o6.9).…”

“…To date, conceptual knowledge has not been included in oral health literacy research. 6 Researchers hypothesize that an individual's health literacy is represented by a constellation of skills and abilities, including word recognition, reading comprehension, communication proficiency, and conceptual knowledge. 7 Lack of education along with traditional beliefs and socio-cultural factors lead to development of false perceptions and myths.…”

Caregivers’ Health Literacy and Their Young Children’s Oral-health–related Expenditures

“…Accumulating evidence suggests that health literacy also has a pivotal role in the context of oral health (Horowitz and Kleinman, 2008;Parker and Hernandez, 2012). Recent studies have detected links between lower literacy and poor outcomes in the domains of oral health status (Parker and Jamieson, 2010;Lee et al, 2012;Wehmeyer et al, 2013), knowledge (Macek et al, 2010), and quality of life .…”

Is Dental Utilization Associated with Oral Health Literacy?

“…Several published conceptual frameworks on OHL include a complex web of associations between OHL and self-efficacy/ dental knowledge (Macek et al 2010; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2010; Lee and Divaris 2014). The relationship between general health literacy and self-efficacy is also highlighted in the literature (Wolf et al 2007;Torres et al 2009;Osborn et al 2010).…”