Connectedness and shared Attributes of Health Literacy on Depression and Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs): A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: Association and correlation between depression and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in terms of risk and protective factors related to behavioral and lifestyle experiences of individuals and underlying mechanisms linking depression with NCDs has been well documente However, mental health and NCDs are poorly understood or overlooked with respect to shared domains and attributes of health literacy for mental health and NCDs to make healthy and informed decisions.The aim of this scoping review was to explore the need for connectedness, shared attributes and conceptual dimensions of health literacy for depression and NCDs. Method: Scoping review was done searching a wide range of research and reviewed articles from Search engines such as Pubmed, Medline, PMC, Google scholar, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and ERIC by using different combinations of key words. Publication dates and types of studies were not considered. Studies on population of different demography were included. Result: Mental health disorders, especially depression and NCDs often co-occur and associated. Depression is a third-leading cause of disability and premature mortality. Depressed persons are more likely to indulge in risky behaviors such as alcohol consumption, smoking, stress, physical inactivity, and lower levels of health service utilization and are high risk to suffer from NCDs because of indulgence in these risky behaviors and practices. It also affects NCDs treatments of due to poor adherence. Health literacy owes significantly related to behavioral risk factors even if age, sex, educational status and monthly household expenditure were adjusted. Several studies have evaluated the association between low literacy and depression. Thus, there is a need to build an integrated and shared constituents of health literacy on depression and NCDs so as to obtain and process vigorous evidence of effective and integrated individual and community knowledge,(2) improve skills and competence and (3) maximize efficiencies in personal and community centered health care. The concept of connected health literacy domains of depression and NCDs focuses on accessing, understanding, appraising and applying information relevant to concurrent or consequential association and correlation. Conclusion: Connectdeness of Health literacy domains needs to be considered while planning and integrated program for depression and NCDs. Mental health advocacy needs to come together with the NCDs prevention efforts, providing coherent evidences.