Abstract
People face varying obstacles when interacting with health information in their everyday lives. This study aims to examine the applicability of a multidimensional Everyday Health Information Literacy (EHIL) screening tool in detecting people with challenges in accessing, understanding, evaluating and using health information in everyday situations. Previously collected EHIL screening tool data from Finnish upper secondary school students (n=217), Finnish young men (n=1450), Finnish adults with an increased risk for metabolic syndrome (n=559) and Namibian university students (n=271) were reanalysed to examine the factorial structure of the tool and to compare the groups. Statistical analyses included exploratory factor analyses, calculation of mean factor scores and one-way analysis of variance. A three factor structure ('awareness', 'access', 'assessment') for the screening tool was supported based on the Finnish samples. However, the Namibian data did not follow a similar structure. Significant differences in groupwise factor scores were discovered. The findings suggest that the multidimensional EHIL screening tool can be used in pointing out areas where individuals or groups may need support. The tool may be useful to health information and library services workers when counselling or educating the public.
Highlights
Introduction and backgroundIn contemporary information environments, people are faced with a variety of challenges in reaching and expressing informed views and in making health decisions (CILIP, 2018)
In a study by Enwald et al, (2018), the screening tool was used to compare the Everyday Health Information Literacy (EHIL) scores of young Finnish men and adults with a high risk for metabolic syndrome. These findings showed that adults with increased risk for metabolic syndrome had higher overall EHIL scores when compared to the young men
This study aims to examine the applicability of a multidimensional EHIL screening tool by analysing its factorial structure in populations with varying ages, cultural backgrounds and health conditions, namely, among Finnish upper secondary school students and Finnish young men, Namibian university students and Finnish adults with an increased risk for metabolic syndrome
Summary
Introduction and backgroundIn contemporary information environments, people are faced with a variety of challenges in reaching and expressing informed views and in making health decisions (CILIP, 2018). Previously collected data on four different populations were reanalysed to examine the applicability of a multidimensional Everyday Health Information Literacy (EHIL) screening tool, meant to detect individuals or groups facing challenges with accessing, understanding, evaluating or using health information in everyday situations (Niemel€a et al, 2012). Health information and library services workers may find the screening tool useful when counselling or educating the public in interacting with health information. Objectives: This study aims to examine the applicability of a multidimensional Everyday Health Information Literacy (EHIL) screening tool in detecting people with challenges in accessing, understanding, evaluating and using health information in everyday situations. Conclusion: The tool may be useful to health information and library services workers when counselling or educating the public
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