Modifiable predictors of health literacy in working-age adults - a rapid review and meta-analysis
Abstract Background Health literacy comprises the ability to identify, obtain, interpret and act upon health information. Low health literacy is a major risk factor for hospitalizations, use of emergency care and premature mortality among others. Known risk factors for low health literacy such as lo...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13851-0 |
| _version_ | 1811222373493374976 |
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| author | Hunny Singh Jonathan Kolschen Florence Samkange-Zeeb Tilman Brand Hajo Zeeb Benjamin Schüz |
| author_facet | Hunny Singh Jonathan Kolschen Florence Samkange-Zeeb Tilman Brand Hajo Zeeb Benjamin Schüz |
| author_sort | Hunny Singh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Health literacy comprises the ability to identify, obtain, interpret and act upon health information. Low health literacy is a major risk factor for hospitalizations, use of emergency care and premature mortality among others. Known risk factors for low health literacy such as lower educational attainment, migration history and chronic illnesses overlap with those for long-term unemployment – in itself a risk factor for low health literacy. These factors are difficult to address in interventions to support health literacy. Therefore, the objective of this review is to identify potentially modifiable predictors of HL in populations potentially affected by long-term unemployment. Methods A rapid review (PROSPERO registration number: 290873) was carried out in Pubmed and SCOPUS including quantitative studies on potentially modifiable predictors of health literacy in working-age populations following PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. Where possible, reported effect sizes were transformed into r, and random-effects meta-analyses were conducted where appropriate to pool effect sizes for the association between modifiable predictors and health literacy. Results In total, 4765 titles and abstracts were screened, 114 articles were assessed in full-text screening, and 54 were included in the review. Forty-one effect sizes were considered for 9 different meta-analyses. Higher language proficiency, higher frequency of internet use, using the internet as a source of health information more often, being more physically active, more oral health behaviours, watching more health-related TV and a good health status were significantly associated with higher health literacy. Significant heterogeneity suggests between-study differences. Conclusions Improving language proficiency and/or providing information in multiple and simplified languages, together with reliable and accessible health information on the internet and in linear media are potentially promising targets to improve health literacy levels in working-age populations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T08:14:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-aa28193317a24033ab08d96185de1c98 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T08:14:41Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-aa28193317a24033ab08d96185de1c982022-12-22T03:40:51ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582022-07-0122111310.1186/s12889-022-13851-0Modifiable predictors of health literacy in working-age adults - a rapid review and meta-analysisHunny Singh0Jonathan Kolschen1Florence Samkange-Zeeb2Tilman Brand3Hajo Zeeb4Benjamin Schüz5Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, University of BremenInstitute of Public Health and Nursing Research, University of BremenDepartment of Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPSDepartment of Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPSDepartment of Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPSInstitute of Public Health and Nursing Research, University of BremenAbstract Background Health literacy comprises the ability to identify, obtain, interpret and act upon health information. Low health literacy is a major risk factor for hospitalizations, use of emergency care and premature mortality among others. Known risk factors for low health literacy such as lower educational attainment, migration history and chronic illnesses overlap with those for long-term unemployment – in itself a risk factor for low health literacy. These factors are difficult to address in interventions to support health literacy. Therefore, the objective of this review is to identify potentially modifiable predictors of HL in populations potentially affected by long-term unemployment. Methods A rapid review (PROSPERO registration number: 290873) was carried out in Pubmed and SCOPUS including quantitative studies on potentially modifiable predictors of health literacy in working-age populations following PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. Where possible, reported effect sizes were transformed into r, and random-effects meta-analyses were conducted where appropriate to pool effect sizes for the association between modifiable predictors and health literacy. Results In total, 4765 titles and abstracts were screened, 114 articles were assessed in full-text screening, and 54 were included in the review. Forty-one effect sizes were considered for 9 different meta-analyses. Higher language proficiency, higher frequency of internet use, using the internet as a source of health information more often, being more physically active, more oral health behaviours, watching more health-related TV and a good health status were significantly associated with higher health literacy. Significant heterogeneity suggests between-study differences. Conclusions Improving language proficiency and/or providing information in multiple and simplified languages, together with reliable and accessible health information on the internet and in linear media are potentially promising targets to improve health literacy levels in working-age populations.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13851-0Health literacyLong-term unemploymentRapid reviewMeta-analysisLanguage proficiencyInternet use |
| spellingShingle | Hunny Singh Jonathan Kolschen Florence Samkange-Zeeb Tilman Brand Hajo Zeeb Benjamin Schüz Modifiable predictors of health literacy in working-age adults - a rapid review and meta-analysis BMC Public Health Health literacy Long-term unemployment Rapid review Meta-analysis Language proficiency Internet use |
| title | Modifiable predictors of health literacy in working-age adults - a rapid review and meta-analysis |
| title_full | Modifiable predictors of health literacy in working-age adults - a rapid review and meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | Modifiable predictors of health literacy in working-age adults - a rapid review and meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modifiable predictors of health literacy in working-age adults - a rapid review and meta-analysis |
| title_short | Modifiable predictors of health literacy in working-age adults - a rapid review and meta-analysis |
| title_sort | modifiable predictors of health literacy in working age adults a rapid review and meta analysis |
| topic | Health literacy Long-term unemployment Rapid review Meta-analysis Language proficiency Internet use |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13851-0 |
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