Health Literacy and Health Behavior Among Women in Ghazni, Afghanistan.

Stefanie Harsch,Asadullah Jawid,Diana Sahrai,Luis Saboga-Nunes,Kristine Sørensen,Uwe H Bittlingmayer,Ebrahim Jawid

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.629334

Abstract

Background: Health literacy is a determinant of health and assessed globally to inform the development of health interventions. However, little is known about health literacy in countries with one of the poorest health indicators worldwide, such as Afghanistan. Studies worldwide demonstrate that women play a key role in developing health literacy. Hence, this study's purpose is to explore health literacy of women in Afghanistan and the associated factors.Methods: From May to June 2017, we randomly recruited 7–10 women per day at the hospital in Ghazni, a representative province of Afghanistan. Two trained female interviewers interviewed 322 women (15–61 years old) orally in Dari or Pashto on a voluntary basis and assessed their health literacy using the HLS-EU-Q16, associated socio-demographics, and health behavior.Results: Health literacy of women (among educated and illiterates) is low even compared to other Asian countries. Health literacy is linked to age and education. We found mixed evidence of the relationship between health literacy and contextual factors, help-seeking, and health-related behavior.Conclusion: This study provides novel data on health literacy and astonishing insights into its association with health behavior of women in Afghanistan, thus contributing to health status. The study calls for recognition of health literacy as a public health challenge be addressed in Afghanistan and other low-income countries affected by crises.

Highlights

Health literacy (HL) moved from the margins to the mainstream of health research because of its relevance for quality of care, disease prevention, and quality of life
The main source of income cited by the women was remittances (25.2%), followed by farming (25.3%) and business (42.9%) and 6.5% salary when employed by the government or an NGO
(formal) level of education is the strongest predictor of a person’s individual health literacy (HL) level, this study clearly reveals that illiterate people can be health literate and behave healthily

Summary

Introduction

Health literacy (HL) moved from the margins to the mainstream of health research because of its relevance for quality of care, disease prevention, and quality of life. Crisis-affected and least-income countries are omitted, assessing and improving health literacy there is supposed to contribute significantly to improving general health and the situation in the country and to achieving the sustainable development goals. We wanted to close the gap and explore the level of health literacy and provide relevant data for policymakers and practitioners and expand our knowledge of the nature of health literacy and related factors in war-torn and crisis-affected countries that have been neglected by health literacy research so far. Health literacy is a determinant of health and assessed globally to inform the development of health interventions. Studies worldwide demonstrate that women play a key role in developing health literacy. This study’s purpose is to explore health literacy of women in Afghanistan and the associated factors

Results

Discussion

Conclusion