Functional health literacy in a population-based sample in Florence: a cross-sectional study using the Newest Vital Sign. Issue 6 (19th June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bonaccorsi, Guglielmo; Lastrucci, Vieri; Vettori, Virginia; Lorini, Chiara
• Other Names: author non-byline.; Alti Elisabetta author non-byline.; Baglioni Sergio author non-byline.; Bechini Angela author non-byline.; Bellino Leonardo author non-byline.; Berzi Niccolò author non-byline.; Bianchi Jacopo author non-byline.; Boccalini Sara author non-byline.; Bonaccorsi Guglielmo author non-byline.; Burgio Giuseppe author non-byline.; Bussotti Alessandro author non-byline.; Riccio Marco Del author non-byline.; Donzellini Martina author non-byline.; Galdiero Angela author non-byline.; Grassi Alessandro author non-byline.; Grassi Tommaso author non-byline.; Lastrucci Vieri author non-byline.; Lombardi Arrigo author non-byline.; Lorini Chiara author non-byline.; Mantwill Sarah author non-byline.; Manzi Federico author non-byline.; Mereu Alessandro author non-byline.; Messina Donatella author non-byline.; Milani Chiara author non-byline.; Paolini Diana author non-byline.; Targonato Marco author non-byline.; Toccafondi Marco author non-byline.; Sartor Gino author non-byline.; Vettori Virginia author non-byline.
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 9:Issue 6(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-06-19
• Subjects: functional health literacy -- public health -- population-based sample -- newest vital sign -- telephone interview -- antecedents and consequences; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026356
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To assess the level of functional health literacy (HL) and its antecedents and consequences in an adult population-based sample, using the Italian version of Newest Vital Sign (NVS-IT). Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: General population. Participants: 984 people were randomly selected from the resident registers of 11 general practitioners; a total of 452 (46.2%) of the selected people completed the study. Inclusion criteria were the following: 18–69 years of age and Italian speaking. Exclusion criteria included cognitive impairment, severe psychiatric diseases and end-stage diseases. Outcome measures: HL levels as assessed by the NVS-IT and the following potential HL predictors and consequences were assessed using logistic regression models: sociodemographic characteristics, body mass index, presence of long-term illnesses, self-reported health status, health services use in the last 12 months. Results: High likelihood of limited HL, possibility of limited HL and adequate HL were found in 11.5%, 24.6% and 63.9% of the sample, respectively. The results of the multivariate logistic model for the antecedents showed that the risk of having high likelihood or possibility of limited HL levels increases with age (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.09), lower educational level (OR 4.03; 95% CI 3.41 to 7.49) and with worse financial situation (OR 1.64; 95% CI 1.17 to 2.63). As far as health outcomes are concerned, HL resulted to be positively associated with self-reported health status (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.75 to 2.75). Conclusions: Findings show a good level of functional HL in the population. However, older, less educated and poorer population groups showed to have a higher likelihood of suffering from limited or inadequate HL. Efforts should be made to design and implement public health policies and interventions tailored to different HL levels. Trial registration number: CEAVC:10113.