Associations between health literacy and information-evaluation and decision-making skills in Japanese adults
Abstract Background Health literacy among Japanese is often low, making it difficult for them to evaluate health information and make informed decisions. However, the health literacy scales applied measure the perceived difficulty of health-related tasks; they do not directly assess the specific ski...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13892-5 |
| _version_ | 1798038143519162368 |
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| author | Kazuhiro Nakayama Yuki Yonekura Hitomi Danya Kanako Hagiwara |
| author_facet | Kazuhiro Nakayama Yuki Yonekura Hitomi Danya Kanako Hagiwara |
| author_sort | Kazuhiro Nakayama |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Health literacy among Japanese is often low, making it difficult for them to evaluate health information and make informed decisions. However, the health literacy scales applied measure the perceived difficulty of health-related tasks; they do not directly assess the specific skills needed to perform the tasks: the skills to judge the reliability of diverse information using evaluation criteria and implement rational decision-making. Therefore, the study objectives were to investigate the following issues using a nationwide survey in Japan. (1) When obtaining information, to what extent do people apply criteria for evaluating information to confirm its reliability; when making decisions, to what extent do they seek out available options and compare pros and cons based on their own values? (2) How strongly are such skills associated with health literacy and demographic characteristics? (3) What opportunities are available to learn these skills? Methods We conducted an online questionnaire survey using a Japanese Internet research company; 3,914 valid responses were received. The measures comprised health literacy (European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire), five items on information evaluation, four items on decision-making, and items on the availability and location of learning opportunities. We calculated Pearson correlations to explore the association of health literacy with information-evaluation and decision-making skills. Multivariate analyses were also conducted using these factors as dependent variables. Results Fewer than half (30%–50%) of respondents reported always or often evaluating information and engaging in decision-making. Health literacy was significantly and positively correlated with the specific skills of information evaluation and decision-making (r = .26 and .30, respectively) as were multivariate analyses (beta = .15 and .22, respectively). Over 40% of respondents had never learned those skills. The most common resources for learning the skills were the Internet and television; less-used resources were schools and workplaces. Conclusions Both information-evaluation and decision-making skills were associated with health literacy. However, these skills are not sufficiently widespread in Japan because there are few opportunities to acquire them. More research is needed to raise awareness of the importance of such skills for improving health literacy and providing learning opportunities. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T21:36:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-da4a4ecfeb7947638b8f73239b9ac21c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T21:36:13Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-da4a4ecfeb7947638b8f73239b9ac21c2022-12-22T04:01:45ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582022-08-0122111310.1186/s12889-022-13892-5Associations between health literacy and information-evaluation and decision-making skills in Japanese adultsKazuhiro Nakayama0Yuki Yonekura1Hitomi Danya2Kanako Hagiwara3Graduate School of Nursing Science, St. Luke’s International UniversityGraduate School of Nursing Science, St. Luke’s International UniversityGraduate School of Nursing Science, St. Luke’s International UniversityGraduate School of Nursing Science, St. Luke’s International UniversityAbstract Background Health literacy among Japanese is often low, making it difficult for them to evaluate health information and make informed decisions. However, the health literacy scales applied measure the perceived difficulty of health-related tasks; they do not directly assess the specific skills needed to perform the tasks: the skills to judge the reliability of diverse information using evaluation criteria and implement rational decision-making. Therefore, the study objectives were to investigate the following issues using a nationwide survey in Japan. (1) When obtaining information, to what extent do people apply criteria for evaluating information to confirm its reliability; when making decisions, to what extent do they seek out available options and compare pros and cons based on their own values? (2) How strongly are such skills associated with health literacy and demographic characteristics? (3) What opportunities are available to learn these skills? Methods We conducted an online questionnaire survey using a Japanese Internet research company; 3,914 valid responses were received. The measures comprised health literacy (European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire), five items on information evaluation, four items on decision-making, and items on the availability and location of learning opportunities. We calculated Pearson correlations to explore the association of health literacy with information-evaluation and decision-making skills. Multivariate analyses were also conducted using these factors as dependent variables. Results Fewer than half (30%–50%) of respondents reported always or often evaluating information and engaging in decision-making. Health literacy was significantly and positively correlated with the specific skills of information evaluation and decision-making (r = .26 and .30, respectively) as were multivariate analyses (beta = .15 and .22, respectively). Over 40% of respondents had never learned those skills. The most common resources for learning the skills were the Internet and television; less-used resources were schools and workplaces. Conclusions Both information-evaluation and decision-making skills were associated with health literacy. However, these skills are not sufficiently widespread in Japan because there are few opportunities to acquire them. More research is needed to raise awareness of the importance of such skills for improving health literacy and providing learning opportunities.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13892-5Health literacyHealth informationDecision-making processShared decision-makingLearning opportunities |
| spellingShingle | Kazuhiro Nakayama Yuki Yonekura Hitomi Danya Kanako Hagiwara Associations between health literacy and information-evaluation and decision-making skills in Japanese adults BMC Public Health Health literacy Health information Decision-making process Shared decision-making Learning opportunities |
| title | Associations between health literacy and information-evaluation and decision-making skills in Japanese adults |
| title_full | Associations between health literacy and information-evaluation and decision-making skills in Japanese adults |
| title_fullStr | Associations between health literacy and information-evaluation and decision-making skills in Japanese adults |
| title_full_unstemmed | Associations between health literacy and information-evaluation and decision-making skills in Japanese adults |
| title_short | Associations between health literacy and information-evaluation and decision-making skills in Japanese adults |
| title_sort | associations between health literacy and information evaluation and decision making skills in japanese adults |
| topic | Health literacy Health information Decision-making process Shared decision-making Learning opportunities |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13892-5 |
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