951Can cancer-related health literacy predict cancer preventive behaviours?

Abstract

Abstract Background Health literacy has direct relevance to outcomes in patients with cancer. An adequate level of health literacy may increase uptake of screening and other supportive cancer prevention programs, which may contribute to improved outcomes. However, existing literature is limited in measuring cancer-specific health literacy and its role in cancer prevention. This study aims to investigate the relationship between cancer-related health literacy and cancer preventive behaviours through a population survey in Beijing, China. Methods A cross-sectional design was utilised to collect survey data such as respondents’ sociodemographic characteristics, cancer-related health literacy, cancer status and cancer prevention behaviours. Logistic regression modelling was applied to identify significant sociodemographic predictors for cancer literacy. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was further performed to determine the association between cancer-related health literacy and cancer preventive behaviours after adjusting for effects from sociodemographic variables. Results The findings confirmed that cancer-related health literacy was significant in predicting participants’ cancer preventive behaviours, including individual’s cancer information seeking behaviour, intention to participate in cancer screenings, early diagnosis and treatments. In addition, the results also showed that respondents’ gender, age, education, household income, residential region and cancer status were significantly associated with their levels of cancer-related health literacy. Conclusions/Key messages The results of this study have provided useful evidence on the importance of applying cancer-related health literacy to predict individual’s cancer preventive behaviours. The study has also identified the variations in cancer literacy between different sub-population groups. Future studies can develop targeted health promotion and education campaigns for more effective cancer prevention.