Abstract
ObjectivesTo describe the health information preferences in middle-aged Japanese workers based on health literacy (HL) levels and presence of medications. Study designA cross-sectional study. MethodsWe performed a web-based questionnaire survey with Japanese workers aged below 60 years. HL was assessed using the total score of communicative skills (five items) and critical skills (four items) from the 14-item Health Literacy Scale. Regarding their health information preferences, participants were asked about the health information they wanted (four items), could easily understand (six items), or easily use (two items) and answered on a 4-point scale (strongly agree/agree/disagree/strongly disagree). The percentages of the affirmative responses (strongly agree or agree) were compared among tertiles based on the HL score. ResultsWe obtained data from a total of 3387 volunteers, of whom 510 participants were on either antihypertensive, lipid-lowering, or antidiabetic drugs. Compared with the high HL and middle HL groups, low HL had fewer affirmative responses to most health information items. Health information items received 70% of affirmative responses even in the low HL level. They were visually shown by figures or pictures, highlighted by colors for important points, could be read in 1–2 min, and were accessed on the Internet, regardless of the presence of medications. Additionally, the explanation for mechanisms of medications or lifestyle to prevent or improve diseases showed high affinity in all HL levels, only for those on medications. ConclusionsThis result generates a hypothesis that low HL individuals have a low interest in health information. Our data showed several possible forms of health information with high affinity based on HL levels that would help plan future population approaches.
Published Version
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