Online Survey for the Assessment of Generic Health Literacy among Adolescents in Germany (GeKoJu): Study Protocol

Abstract

The promotion of health literacy at a young age can protect, maintain and improve health across the life course. Yet to date, a sound data basis on adolescent health literacy as a requirement for the development of strategies to promote health literacy has not been given. This paper presents a study protocol for the online survey “Health Literacy Among Adolescents” (GeKoJu) that collects the first nation-wide representative data on self-reported generic health among adolescents aged 14–17 years in Germany. The objectives of the survey are (1) to assess the distribution of generic health literacy among adolescents in Germany, (2) to identify socio-demographic and social factors in regard to health literacy and (3) to assess the association of health literacy and health-related outcomes. The cross-sectional survey was conducted from September 2019 through December 2019. A two-stage stratified cluster sampling strategy was applied. Individuals invited to participate in the survey (N = 6608) were randomly selected among German-speaking adolescents aged 14–17 years, with permanent residence in Germany. Generic health literacy is measured with the “Measurement of Health Literacy Among Adolescents-Questionnaire” (MOHLAA-Q). Data collection also covers questions on health behavior, subjective health status, personal and social resources, socio-demographic and social factors and health services use. Results of the GeKoJu survey will provide data for the development of strategies to promote generic health literacy among families, in schools, communities and health care.

Subjective Generic Health Literacy and Its Associated Factors among Adolescents: Results of a Population-Based Online Survey in Germany

“…The study was performed by the Robert Koch Institute, the government’s central research institution in the field of biomedicine and public health in Germany. The study is part of the second funding period of the project “Measurement of Health Literacy Among Adolescents”—Part Two (MOHLAA 2), which is embedded in the German Health Literacy in Childhood and Adolescence (HLCA) Consortium and funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research [ 38 ]. In the first funding period of the project “Measurement of Health Literacy Among Adolescents”—Part One (MOHLAA1), the self-report measurement tool “Measurement of Health Literacy Among Adolescents-Questionnaire” (MOHLAA-Q) was developed and validated for the use among adolescents aged 14–17 years [ 19 ].…”

“…The Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information provided approval of the study without concern on 9 July 2019. The ethics committee at the Alice Salomon Hochschule Berlin, University of Applied Sciences (Number 06-2019/26) provided ethical approval on 8 August 2019 [ 38 ].…”

“…The research design, methodology, and methods have already been described in detail in a study protocol for this survey study [ 38 ] and another article about the development and psychometric properties of the respective health literacy measurement tool [ 19 ].…”

“…These differences may explain the observed inconsistency of study results regarding the level of health literacy and associated factors. Evidence concerning generic health literacy based on a broad concept defining health literacy as a multidimensional construct among young people in mid-adolescence is still lacking [ 19 , 38 ].…”

Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Health Literacy Research Around the World: More Important Than Ever in a Time of COVID-19

“…Health literacy and many of its determinants are well studied in adults but under researched in children and adolescents. In "The Online Survey for the Assessment of Generic Health Literacy among Adolescents in Germany (GeKoJu): Study Protocol" by Loer et al [67], the authors describe a study to provide a sound data basis on adolescent health literacy in Germany to support health literacy goals. Fretian et al [68] consider the measurement of health literacy in children in "Exploring Associated Factors of Subjective Health Literacy in School-Aged Children in Germany".…”