The Health Literacy Profile of Clients Attending a Community Rehabilitation Program: A Survey Using the Health Literacy Questionnaire

Abstract

PurposeThis study aimed to explore the health literacy profile of individuals attending a metropolitan community rehabilitation center in Victoria, Australia.Methods295 consecutive attendees of a community rehabilitation program between January and August 2015 were invited to complete the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ), a 44-item questionnaire comprising nine independent scales of health literacy, and provide demographic data. Exclusion criteria were having severe dementia and inability to communicate to complete the HLQ. Participants and nonparticipants were compared using descriptive analysis. Mean scores were calculated for each of the nine health literacy scales. Linear regression was used to establish associations between demographic variables and HLQ scale scores.Results149 individuals participated in the study (response rate 50.5%). Several demographic characteristics were associated with lower scores in one or more health literacy scales. Largest differences were observed for participants who spoke a language other than English at home.ConclusionsThis study describes the health literacy profile of individuals attending a community rehabilitation program. These data can facilitate generation of ideas and opportunities to address the needs of this population.