The Prevalence of Limited Health Literacy and Its Associated Factors among Elderly Patients Attending an Urban Academic Primary Care Clinic in Malaysia.

Siti Nur Hidayah Abd-Rahim,Noorhida Baharudin,Mohamad Rodi Isa,Suraya Abdul-Razak,Mohamed-Syarif Mohamed-Yassin

doi:10.3390/ijerph18179044

Abstract

Limited health literacy (HL) is linked to many negative health outcomes, including poor self-management of chronic diseases and medication adherence among patients. There are a lack of data regarding HL in the elderly population in Malaysia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of limited HL levels and its associated factors among elderly patients in an urban academic primary care clinic in Selangor, Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 413 elderly patients (≥60 years old) who attended this academic primary care clinic between January 2020 and January 2021. Sociodemographic data, clinical characteristics, and health literacy scores were collected. Descriptive statistics (median with interquartile ranges (IQR), frequency, and percentages) and multiple logistic regression were utilized. The prevalence of limited HL in our population was 19.1% (95% CI: 15.3, 23). The middle-old (70–79 years) and very-old (≥80 years) age groups were more likely to have limited HL (aOR 4.05; 95% CI: 2.19, 7.52 and aOR 4.36; 95% CI: 1.02, 18.63, respectively). Those with at least secondary school education (aOR 0.06; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.24) and those who found medical information via the internet/television (aOR 0.21; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.93) had lower odds of having limited HL. In conclusion, having limited HL levels was not common among elderly patients in this primary care clinic. Further studies involving rural and larger primary care clinics in Malaysia are required to support these findings.

Highlights

Health literacy (HL) has been identified as a critical component to improve health and well-being while reducing health disparities [1]
A total of 497 potential participants were approached at the academic primary care clinic
Out of 413 respondents, 79 (19.1%) had limited health literacy (HL) while 334 (80.9%) had adequate HL

Summary

Introduction

Health literacy (HL) has been identified as a critical component to improve health and well-being while reducing health disparities [1]. Defines HL as the “cognitive and social skills which determine the motivation and ability of individuals to gain access, understand and use information, which promotes and maintain good health” [1]. The purpose of HL is to help people make health-related decisions and take appropriate actions to manage their health [1,2]. The ability to find, understand, appraise, and apply information related to health is essential in order to prevent disease and promote good health [1,2].

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Discussion

Conclusion