Journal article
Performance of a Brazilian population on the test of functional health literacy in adults
Revista de saúde pública, Vol.43(4), pp.631-638
08/01/2009
DOI: 10.1590/S0034-89102009005000031
PMID: 19488667
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the scoring obtained by an instrument, which evaluates the ability to read and understand items in the health care setting, according to education and age. METHODS: The short version of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults was administered to 312 healthy participants of different ages and years of schooling. The study was conducted between 2006 and 2007, in the city of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil. The test includes actual materials such as pill bottles and appointment slips and measures reading comprehension, assessing the ability to read and correctly pronounce a list of words and understand both prose passages and numerical information. Pearson partial correlations and a multiple regression model were used to verify the association between its scores and education and age. RESULTS: The mean age of the sample was 47.3 years(sd=16.8) and the mean education was 9.7 years(sd=5; range: 1 - 17). A total of 32.4% of the sample showed literacy/numeracy deficits, scoring in the inadequate and marginal functional health literacy ranges. Among the elderly (65 years or older) this rate increased to 51.6%. There was a positive correlation between schooling and scores (r=0.74; p<0.01) and a negative correlation between age and the scores (r=-0.259; p<0.01). The correlation between the scores and age was not significant when the effects of education were held constant (rp=-0.031, p=0.584). A significant association (B=3.877, Beta =0.733; p<0.001) was found between schooling and scores. Age was not a significant predictor in this model (B=-0.035, Beta=-0.22; p=0.584). CONCLUSIONS: The short version of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults was a suitable tool to assess health literacy in the study population. The high number of individuals classified as functional illiterates in this test highlights the importance of special assistance to help them properly understand directions for healthcare.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Performance of a Brazilian population on the test of functional health literacy in adults
- Creators
- Maria Teresa Carthery-Goulart - Universidade de São PauloRenato Anghinah - Universidade de São PauloRenata Areza-Fegyveres - Universidade de São PauloValeria Santoro Bahia - Universidade de São PauloSonia Maria Dozzi Brucki - Universidade de São PauloAntonio Damin - Universidade de São PauloAna Paula Formigoni - Universidade de São PauloNorberto Frota - Universidade de São PauloCarla Guariglia - Universidade de São PauloAlessandro F Jacinto - Universidade de São PauloEliane Mayumi Kato - Universidade de São PauloEdson P Lima - Universidade de São PauloLetícia Mansur - Universidade de São PauloDaniel Moreira - Universidade de São PauloAna Nóbrega - Universidade de São PauloClaudia Selitto Porto - Universidade de São PauloMirna L H Senaha - Universidade de São PauloMari-Nilva Maia da Silva - Universidade de São PauloJerusa Smid - Universidade de São PauloJuliana N Souza-Talarico - Universidade de São PauloMarcia Radanovic - Universidade de São PauloRicardo Nitrini - Universidade de São Paulo
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Revista de saúde pública, Vol.43(4), pp.631-638
- DOI
- 10.1590/S0034-89102009005000031
- PMID
- 19488667
- NLM abbreviation
- Rev Saude Publica
- ISSN
- 0034-8910
- eISSN
- 1518-8787
- Publisher
- Faculdade de Saúde Pública da Universidade de São Paulo
- Alternative title
- Desempenho de uma população brasileira no teste de alfabetização funcional para adultos na área de saúde
- Language
- Portuguese
- Date published
- 08/01/2009
- Academic Unit
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Nursing
- Record Identifier
- 9984065473202771
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