Health Literacy and Health Outcomes in Iranian Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background and Objective: Health Literacy is the capacity of individuals to obtain, interpret, and understand health-related information for making an appropriate decision. The aim of this study was a systematically review the literature on the outcomes of literacy in Iranian adolescents. Materials and Methods: The search was done on scientific databases, using the keywords health literacy, health knowledge, teen, adolescent, high school, middle school and Iran in Persian and English, from 2010 until 2021 Jan. Study process was conducted from 10th of December to the end of December. Studies were considered with data about outcomes of literacy in Iranian adolescents. Results: Ten studies met inclusionary criteria. Two studies reported students with higher literacy had better health-promoting behaviours; moreover, two other studies reported students with higher literacy had better body mass index. One study reported better oral literacy conducted to lower oral problems; furthermore, one study showed that higher literacy leads to osteoporosis preventive behaviours. Results of one study indicated that higher literacy leads to more perceived self-efficacy and better self-care performance. One study showed better hair and skincare performance in students with higher literacy. Another study indicated that students with higher literacy had better attitude and behaviour toward breakfast consumption and the results of one study demonstrated that students with better literacy had better nutrition behaviours. In all studies, there were statistically significant linear correlations between literacy and its outcomes (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated that adolescent's literacy seems associated with important outcomes then considering the importance of literacy in adolescents, designing and implementing educational intervention for promoting literacy is significantly important. As adolescents spend most of their daily time in schools, educational interventions should be school-based.