Abstract
IntroductionThe promotion of health literacy of the population in a situation of migration, in the community, is a fundamental field of intervention in health promotion, for the reduction of inequalities in access to health care services. It is increasingly necessary to make health care services more equitable for migrant populations. The aim of the study was to characterize the level of health literacy of the population in a migrant situation, attending a primary health care unit in the Lisbon region, to identify priority areas for community intervention that will become the focus of intervention and contribute to the increase in the health literacy levels in this population.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out by applying the Health Literacy Survey (ILS-PT) to a sample of the population in a situation of migration, found by 27 participants.ResultsThe general health literacy index of the sample is inadequate (21.23 points). An analysis of the sub-indexes revealed that 75% of the participants had difficulties related to information about health care and 80% had difficulties in the field of health promotion.ConclusionsProblematic and inadequate levels of health literacy was significantly frequent among migrant population. So that enhancing health literacy among migrant is essential to reduce health inequalities to achieve better health outcomes and contribute to defense of human rights of this vulnerable population.
Highlights
The promotion of health literacy of the population in a situation of migration, in the community, is a fundamental field of intervention in health promotion, for the reduction of inequalities in access to health care services
The present study aims to describe the level of health literacy of a sample of migrant people who attend primary health care in a unit in the Lisbon region, to identify priority areas of community intervention initiated by specialist community nurses to increase literacy in health in these populations
The results demonstrate that migrants have difficulties either in obtaining health information or in accessing health services, which translates into an inadequate level of health literacy in this index (56%)
Summary
The promotion of health literacy of the population in a situation of migration, in the community, is a fundamental field of intervention in health promotion, for the reduction of inequalities in access to health care services. Migrant health must be seen as a unified agenda, involving global health and universal health coverage, sustainable development goals and social determinants of health [9]. In this sense, interventions must be designed to reduce inequities in health and increase the resilience of people in a situation of migration. Promoting health equity through universal health coverage with the broad participation of primary health care, ensures that improving the health of migrants is an essential part of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals addressed in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015. Aspects that for legal reasons, reduce access to health care and health information; and the environmental and integration issues of host countries, as well as the barriers related to communication, all have an impact on health equity [11]
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