Health literacy among adolescents and young adults in the Eastern Mediterranean region: a scoping review
Objectives For adolescents and young adults, most health literacy research has been conducted in Western countries, but few studies have been conducted in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR). This review aimed to explore the existing health literacy research in the EMR in addition to the levels o...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMJ Publishing Group
2023-06-01
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| Series: | BMJ Open |
| Online Access: | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/6/e072787.full |
| _version_ | 1797749124092657664 |
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| author | Masamine Jimba Junko Kiriya Mohammed B A Sarhan Rika Fujiya Zin Wai Htay Kayono Nakajima Rie Fuse Nao Wakabayashi |
| author_facet | Masamine Jimba Junko Kiriya Mohammed B A Sarhan Rika Fujiya Zin Wai Htay Kayono Nakajima Rie Fuse Nao Wakabayashi |
| author_sort | Masamine Jimba |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives For adolescents and young adults, most health literacy research has been conducted in Western countries, but few studies have been conducted in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR). This review aimed to explore the existing health literacy research in the EMR in addition to the levels of health literacy and its associated factors among adolescents and young adults.Methods The search, conducted using the PubMed/MEDLINE, EBSCOhost/CINAHL plus, Web of Science and J-STAGE databases, was initially performed on 16 June 2022 and later updated on 1 October 2022. Studies that targeted 10–25 years old persons, conducted in any of the EMR countries and that used the health literacy concept and/or described its levels or predictors were included in the review. Content analysis was used for data extraction and analysis. Data related to the study methods, participants, outcome variables and health literacy were extracted.Results The review included 82 studies, most of which were conducted in Iran and Turkey and adopted a cross-sectional design. Half of the studies showed that more than half of adolescents and young adults had low or moderate health literacy. Nine studies applied university-based or school-based health education interventions to improve health literacy, which was also predicted by demographic and socioeconomic factors and internet usage. Little attention was paid to assessing the health literacy of vulnerable people, such as refugees and those with a disability and exposed to violence. Finally, various health literacy topics were investigated, including nutrition, non-communicable diseases, media and depression.Conclusion Health literacy levels were low-to-moderate in adolescents and young adults in the EMR. To promote health literacy, it is recommended to use school-based health education and attempt to reach adolescents and young adults through social media platforms. More attention should be paid to refugees, people with disabilities and those exposed to violence. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T16:14:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a2022f02382b44b29965144d4e0bf47a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2044-6055 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T16:14:41Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMJ Open |
| spelling | doaj.art-a2022f02382b44b29965144d4e0bf47a2023-08-09T06:05:08ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552023-06-0113610.1136/bmjopen-2023-072787Health literacy among adolescents and young adults in the Eastern Mediterranean region: a scoping reviewMasamine Jimba0Junko Kiriya1Mohammed B A Sarhan2Rika Fujiya3Zin Wai Htay4Kayono Nakajima5Rie Fuse6Nao Wakabayashi72 Department of Community and Global Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan2 Department of Community and Global Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan1 Graduate School of Health Management, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan1 Graduate School of Health Management, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan2 Department of Community and Global Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan2 Department of Community and Global Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan1 Graduate School of Health Management, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan1 Graduate School of Health Management, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, JapanObjectives For adolescents and young adults, most health literacy research has been conducted in Western countries, but few studies have been conducted in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR). This review aimed to explore the existing health literacy research in the EMR in addition to the levels of health literacy and its associated factors among adolescents and young adults.Methods The search, conducted using the PubMed/MEDLINE, EBSCOhost/CINAHL plus, Web of Science and J-STAGE databases, was initially performed on 16 June 2022 and later updated on 1 October 2022. Studies that targeted 10–25 years old persons, conducted in any of the EMR countries and that used the health literacy concept and/or described its levels or predictors were included in the review. Content analysis was used for data extraction and analysis. Data related to the study methods, participants, outcome variables and health literacy were extracted.Results The review included 82 studies, most of which were conducted in Iran and Turkey and adopted a cross-sectional design. Half of the studies showed that more than half of adolescents and young adults had low or moderate health literacy. Nine studies applied university-based or school-based health education interventions to improve health literacy, which was also predicted by demographic and socioeconomic factors and internet usage. Little attention was paid to assessing the health literacy of vulnerable people, such as refugees and those with a disability and exposed to violence. Finally, various health literacy topics were investigated, including nutrition, non-communicable diseases, media and depression.Conclusion Health literacy levels were low-to-moderate in adolescents and young adults in the EMR. To promote health literacy, it is recommended to use school-based health education and attempt to reach adolescents and young adults through social media platforms. More attention should be paid to refugees, people with disabilities and those exposed to violence.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/6/e072787.full |
| spellingShingle | Masamine Jimba Junko Kiriya Mohammed B A Sarhan Rika Fujiya Zin Wai Htay Kayono Nakajima Rie Fuse Nao Wakabayashi Health literacy among adolescents and young adults in the Eastern Mediterranean region: a scoping review BMJ Open |
| title | Health literacy among adolescents and young adults in the Eastern Mediterranean region: a scoping review |
| title_full | Health literacy among adolescents and young adults in the Eastern Mediterranean region: a scoping review |
| title_fullStr | Health literacy among adolescents and young adults in the Eastern Mediterranean region: a scoping review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Health literacy among adolescents and young adults in the Eastern Mediterranean region: a scoping review |
| title_short | Health literacy among adolescents and young adults in the Eastern Mediterranean region: a scoping review |
| title_sort | health literacy among adolescents and young adults in the eastern mediterranean region a scoping review |
| url | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/6/e072787.full |
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