The roles of low literacy and social support in predicting the preventability of hospital admission

Arozullah, Ahsan M.; Lee, Shoou Yih D.; Khan, Taha; Kurup, Sindhu; Ryan, Jeffrey J.; Bonner, Michael; Soltysik, Robert C.; Yarnold, Paul R.

doi:10.1007/s11606-006-0248-z

Cited by 42 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…The results were consistent with other studies that showed no significant correlation between health literacy levels and out-patient visits to physicians. [181920] However, in some studies, there was a significant correlation between the health literacy level and the use of health services,[9152122] which was not consistent with this study. In Nancy et al .…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 89%

The relationship between health literacy with health status and healthcare utilization in 18-64 years old people in Isfahan

Karimi¹,

Keyvanara²,

Hosseini³

et al. 2014

J Edu Health Promot

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 89%

The relationship between health literacy with health status and healthcare utilization in 18-64 years old people in Isfahan

Karimi¹,

Keyvanara²,

Hosseini³

et al. 2014

J Edu Health Promot

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“…Current evidence on health literacy as a predictor for health care utilization is decidedly mixed. Baker and colleagues found that patients in outpatient clinics who had inadequate health literacy were more likely to have physician visits and be hospitalized [14,29], while other studies did not find health literacy to be associated with physician visits, use of ER, or hospitalization [4,32]. Based on our step-wise analysis results that age, educational attainment and household income jointly explained the associations between health literacy and health care utilization, we suspect that the inconsistencies observed in existing literature may result from inadequate consideration of socio-demographic factors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health literacy, health status, and healthcare utilization of Taiwanese adults: results from a national survey

Lee

Tsai²,

Tsai³

et al. 2010

BMC Public Health

184

147

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BackgroundLow health literacy is considered a worldwide health threat. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence and socio-demographic covariates of low health literacy in Taiwanese adults and to investigate the relationships between health literacy and health status and health care utilization.MethodsA national survey of 1493 adults was conducted in 2008. Health literacy was measured using the Mandarin Health Literacy Scale. Health status was measured based on self-rated physical and mental health. Health care utilization was measured based on self-reported outpatient clinic visits, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations.ResultsApproximately thirty percent of adults were found to have low (inadequate or marginal) health literacy. They tended to be older, have fewer years of schooling, lower household income, and reside in less populated areas. Inadequate health literacy was associated with poorer mental health (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.35-0.91). No association was found between health literacy and health care utilization even after adjusting for other covariates.ConclusionsLow (inadequate and marginal) health literacy is prevalent in Taiwan. High prevalence of low health literacy is not necessarily indicative of the need for interventions. Systematic efforts to evaluate the impact of low health literacy on health outcomes in other countries would help to illuminate features of health care delivery and financing systems that may mitigate the adverse health effects of low health literacy.

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“…Baker and colleagues found that patients in outpatient clinics who had inadequate health literacy were more likely to have physician visits and be hospitalized,[89] while other studies did not find health literacy to be associated with health care utilization. [3237] According to these results, it can be concluded that low health literacy mainly causes repeated and unnecessary referral to the doctor and more length of stay in the hospital. This in turn leads to increased costs and thereby losses on part of the health sector budget.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship between health literacy, health status, and healthy behaviors among older adults in Isfahan, Iran

Javadzade

Sharifirad

Radjati

et al. 2012

J Edu Health Promot

113

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Background:Health literacy is a measure of an individual's ability to read, comprehend, and act on medical instructions. Limited health literacy can reduce the adults’ ability to comprehend and use basic health-related materials, such as prescription, food labels, health education pamphlets, articles, appointment slips, and health insurance plans, which can affect their ability to take appropriate and timely health care action. Nowadays, low health literacy is considered a worldwide health threat. So, the purpose of this study was to assess health literacy level in older adults and to investigate the relationships between health literacy and health status, health care utilization, and health preventive behaviors.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional survey of 354 older adults was conducted in Isfahan. The method of sampling was clustering. Health literacy was measured using the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA). Data were collected using home interviewing. Health status was measured based on self-rated general health. Health care utilization was measured based on self-reported outpatient clinic visits, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations, and health preventive behaviors were measured based on self-reported preventive health services use.Results:Approximately 79.6% of adults were found to have inadequate health literacy. They tended to be older, had fewer years of schooling, lower household income, and were females. Inadequate health literacy was associated with poorer general health (P < 0.001). Health literacy level was negatively associated with outpatient visits (P = 0.003) and hospitalization (P = 0.01). No significant association was found between health literacy level and emergency room utilization. Self-reported lack of PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test (P < 0.001) and fecal occult blood test (FOBT; P = 0.003) was higher among individuals with inadequate health literacy than those with adequate health literacy. No significant association was found between health literacy level and mammogram in the last 2 years.Conclusion:Low health literacy is more prevalent in older adults. It indicates the importance of health literacy issue in health promotion. So, with simple educational materials and effective interventions for low health literacy group, we can improve health promotion in the society and mitigate the adverse health effects of low health literacy.

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The roles of low literacy and social support in predicting the preventability of hospital admission

Cited by 42 publications

References 33 publications

The relationship between health literacy with health status and healthcare utilization in 18-64 years old people in Isfahan

The relationship between health literacy with health status and healthcare utilization in 18-64 years old people in Isfahan

Health literacy, health status, and healthcare utilization of Taiwanese adults: results from a national survey

Relationship between health literacy, health status, and healthy behaviors among older adults in Isfahan, Iran

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