Literacy Survey Research Articles

Bullous Pemphigoid: Readability, Quality, and Treatments of Online Health Resources

Bullous Pemphigoid: Readability, Quality, and Treatments of Online Health Resources

Covid-19 Digital health literacy of Sofia University IT students – preliminary results

BackgroundThe SARS-CoV-2019 pandemic and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus, made us use various sources of health information available on different digital platforms on the Internet, thus brought in front side issues related to health literacy (HL). People using digital information platforms not always have the ability to adequate evaluate the acquired health information. Even more IT professionals are often engaged in systems development, where their ability to provide the system with reliable, checked input as for example training data and information is crucial. Namely this makes IT students, as future professionals, health literacy important case for study.
 MethodsFor the purpose a Questionnaire developed by Dadaczynski, K., Okan, O. & Rathmann, K. in 2020 as COVID-19 Health Literacy Survey: University Students (COVID-HL Survey), and the respective Scale Documentation under the Public Health Centre Fulda (PHZF) at the Fulda University of Applied Sciences & Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Literacy Research at Bielefeld University, was used. The main goals are to assess digital HL of university students; explore the different digital sources of information students consult when seeking for COVID-19 information; capture student’s future time perspective/worries; and also assess students Sense of Coherence under this health situation.
 FindingsMost (roughly above 60%) of respondents indicated that it was easy to search, acquire, evaluate reliability, and determine relevance for health information related to COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2019, and other related topics. Immersive the amount of students (above 85%) that crosscheck acquired health information in both English and Bulgarian languages. As for the various possibilities of how to get information about the coronavirus and related topics on the Internet, the respondents indicate most often they use search engines (e.g. Google, Bing, Yahoo!), followed by official Health portals (for example, the Bulgarian unified information portal, the current news – Ministry of Health, and the Regional Health Inspectorate).
 ConclusionsThe preliminary results so far show that most of the students of the current sample reported high HL. May be their ability to crosscheck health information explains their satisfaction regarding to this information. Young people as the students in Sofia University trust modern digital platforms, but also have a high rated opinion for the official heath authorities in the country, including the developed Bulgarian unified information portal, the Ministry of Health, and the Regional Health Inspectorate web pages. The study is still ongoing. More results and discussion should follow the responses acquisition completion.

Health Literacy Among Older Smartphone Users Attending Outpatients Clinics at a Teaching Hospital in Middle-income Developing Nation

Background: Health literacy is the ability to seek, understand, and use health knowledge, is considered crucial to successful management disease and to determinant of health status. This study aims to determine factors which influence health literacy of older adults attending outpatient clinics at a teaching hospital in a middle-income country. Methods: A convenient sample of smartphone users aged ≥55years, recruited from the hospital outpatient department,, were recruited. HL was measured with the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47) was utilized. The cut-off value of above 33 was considered adequate for the overall general HL index (GHLI) and well as individual domain indices. Results: Of the 580 respondents, mean (SD) age 67.9 (8.0) years and 319 (55.0%) women, 240 (41.3%) had GHLI score >33. Education, occupation, hypertension, high cholesterol and eye disease were associated with lower GHLI scores. Multivariate logistic regression models revealed that <5 years of education, homemakers and hypertension were independently associated with poorer GHLI scores, while all domain indices were additionally associated with ischaemic heart disease and DPI ≤33. Conclusions: Three out of five individuals aged ≥55 years scored beneath the desired cut-off for HCI. Lower education levels, homemakers, hypertension, high cholesterol and eye disease were independently associated with index scores ≤33 in at least one domain or the overall scores Future studies target individual with lower education levels, hypertension, high cholesterol, ischaemic heart disease and eye disease for interventions which enhance HL.

Pharmacists’ Knowledge and Perceptions of Health Literacy

Background: Health literacy is defined as the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information needed to make appropriate health decisions. A review of literature revealed few studies that examined pharmacist’s knowledge of health literacy. Methods: The Pharmacist Professional Health Literacy Survey was distributed to a convenience sampling of community pharmacists in medically underserved counties of Southwest Georgia. Results: Of 75 pharmacists contacted, 39 completed the survey and were used in the evaluation. Most respondents reported no health literacy training and had never assessed health literacy with a validated questionnaire. More than half of the participants cited lack of knowledge about low health literacy as a major barrier to implementing health literacy screening for their patients. Time and cost were identified as major barriers to participating in health literacy training programs. Conclusion: Most pharmacists from this area had little exposure to evaluating health literacy. Pharmacy education postgraduate programs and continuing education training programs around this topic will heighten health literacy knowledge for the pharmacy profession. There is a need for a quick, easy to use, and effective tool for pharmacists to recognize and assess health literacy in patients.

Health Literacy of People with and without Disabilities and Chronic Diseases in Germany: Results of the Study "German Health Update" 2014/2015-EHIS

People with disabilities and chronic diseases represent a population group in vulnerable circumstances, and often have difficulty finding, understanding, assessing, and applying health information. The aim of this study was to examine the health literacy of people doubly burdened with both disabilities and chronic diseases in comparison to two other groups, namely people with either disabilities or chronic diseases and people without impairment. Our data is based on the representative survey "German Health Update" 2014/2015-EHIS. The sample consists of n=21,647 people, including 2,875 (13.3%) people with disabilities and chronic diseases, 7,598 people (35.1%) with disability or chronic diseases and 11,174 (51.6%) people without impairment. Health literacy was measured using the short form of the questionnaire of the European Health Literacy Survey (HLS-EU-Q16). Uni, bi- and multivariate analyses were conducted. 43.7% of respondents with both disabilities and chronic diseases had quite a lot difficulties in dealing with health information in comparison to people with disabilities or chronic diseases (37.7%) or those with no impairment (33.0%). People with double burdens had a 1.22-fold (CI: 1.10-1.35; p<0.001) and people with a single burden had a 1.08-fold (CI: 1.01-1.16; p=0.031) increased likelihood to find it difficult or very difficult to find, understand, evaluate and apply health-related information compared to people without impairment. The results show a gradient to the disadvantage of people with disabilities and/or chronic diseases. Health literacy among people with disabilities and/or chronic diseases should be adequately promoted in order to support their health, their participation as well as the quality and efficiency of and the reduction of barriers to access health care.

Exploring the relationships of citizens' scientific interest and self-understanding to their learning enjoyment and self-efficacy in science.

The aim of this study was to explore whether citizens’ scientific interest and self-understanding relate to their learning enjoyment and self-efficacy in science. The sample participants consisted of 1,657 Taiwanese citizens ranging from 18 to 70 years of age. All participants were asked to complete the 2018 “Taiwan Citizens Science and Technology Literacy Survey” to assess their scientific interest, scientific self-understanding, science learning enjoyment, and scientific self-efficacy. Multiple regression models were used to analyze the data. The important findings included: (1) scientific interest was the most important predictor of science learning enjoyment, while scientific self-understanding was the most important predictor of scientific self-efficacy; and (2) the effects of scientific interest on self-understanding and the effect of science learning enjoyment on scientific self-efficacy each were significantly moderated by respondents’ age, with stronger relationships observed in younger citizens than older citizens. This study provides insight into Taiwanese citizens’ scientific learning enjoyment and self-efficacy and also informs potential governmental policies and/or societal practices that could be considered to promote scientific literacy.

Abstract P5-14-12: Health literacy among long term breast cancer survivors; exploring associated factors in a nation-wide sample

Abstract Objectives: Low health literacy (HL) levels likely hamper health management and outcomes in cancer survivorship. Knowledge of associated factors is needed to identify at-risk sub-groups of survivors, but is currently scant. Here, we explore HL-levels and associated factors in a nation-wide sample of long-term BCSs. Methods: All BCSs aged 20-65 years, diagnosed with early-stage BC in 2011-2012, were identified through the Norwegian Cancer Registry and invited to participate in the Survivorship, Work and Sex (SWEET)-study. HL was measured using The European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire-12 (HLS-EU-Q12) as a continuous and categorical variable. Associations between HL and sociodemographic-, physical- and mental health variables, including the most common LEs, were explored in uni- and multivariable linear regression models. Results: The final sample consisted of 1355 survivors (48%). Median age was 60 years and the majority of survivors had high socioeconomic status (SES). Median HL sum-score corresponded to an intermediate HL level (36.2, SD 5.4), while 19.3% reported marginal or inadequate HL. Education, income, age at diagnosis, the personality trait neuroticism and fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) remained significantly associated with HL in the multivariate model, explaining 12% of the variance in HL scores. Conclusion: Low levels of HL were prevalent, potentially affecting the provision of effective survivorship care and BCS’s self-management abilities. Identifying individuals at risk of low HL based on knowledge readily available to clinicians remains challenging and warrants further investigation. Implications for cancer survivors: Addressing survivors’ HL could be a key target for improving survivorship care. Citation Format: Kathrine Flørenes Vandraas, Kristin V Reinertsen, Cecilie E Kiserud, Synne K Bøhn, Hanne C Lie. Health literacy among long term breast cancer survivors; exploring associated factors in a nation-wide sample [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2021 Dec 7-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-14-12.

Development and Content Validation of a Comprehensive Health Literacy Survey Instrument for Use in Individuals with Asthma during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Individuals with chronic conditions have been faced with many additional challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Individual health literacy (HL) as the ability to access, understand, evaluate, and apply pandemic-related information has thus become ever more important in these populations. The purpose of this study was to develop and content-validate a comprehensive HL survey instrument for people with asthma based on an integrated framework, and on previous surveys and other instruments for use in the general population and vulnerable groups. Beside HL, assumed determinants, mediators, and health outcomes were embraced in the framework. A mixed-method design was used. A comprehensive examination of the available literature yielded an initial pool of 398 single items within 20 categories. Based on content validity indices (CVI) of expert ratings (n = 11) and the content analysis of cognitive interviews with participants (n = 9), the item pool was reduced, and individual items/scales refined or modified. The instrument showed appropriate comprehensibility (98.0%), was judged relevant, and had an acceptable CVI at scale level (S-CVI/Ave = 0.91). The final version comprises 14 categories measured by 38 questions consisting of 116 single items. In terms of content, the instrument appears a valid representation of behavioural and psychosocial constructs pertaining to a broad HL understanding and relevant to individuals with asthma during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regular monitoring of these behavioural and psychosocial constructs during the course of the pandemic can help identify needs as well as changes during the course of the pandemic, which is particularly important in chronic disease populations.

Health literacy in chronic kidney disease patients: association with self-reported presence of acquaintance with kidney disease, disease burden and frequent contact with health care provider.

Limited data suggest that health literacy (HL) is associated with kidney functions and clinical outcomes in patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD). We aimed to identify factors associated with the level of HL in a CKD population that has not been studied previously. Patients with stage I-V (non-dialysis) CKD according to the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative classification were enrolled in the study from two tertiary healthcare centers. Data were collected cross-sectionally using the European Health Literacy Survey (HLS-EU). Data of 208 participants were analyzed. HLS-EU scores had the highest correlations with age (r = -0.494, p = 0.0001) and education (r = 0.476, p = 0.0001). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (e-GFR) was significantly correlated with HLS-EU score (r = 0.186, p = 0.01). Presence of a self-reported acquaintance with any kind of kidney disease was associated with higher HL. On the other hand, participants with multiple comorbidities, and therefore with more frequent contact with the health system, had lower HL than those without such frequent contact. Similarly, those with a high disease burden had lower HL than those without. HLS-EU scores were also significantly associated with gender, marital status, occupational status, self-perception of health, restriction of daily activities, participation in social activities, place of residence, blood pressure, body mass index, and serum parathyroid hormone and albumin levels. Low HL is prevalent among CKD patients and is associated with e-GFR. Presence of an acquaintance with any kind of kidney disease is positively associated with HL. Presence of multiple comorbidities might be a limiting factor for the improvement of HL, which might also be expected to improve as a result of frequent contact with healthcare providers.

Comparison of Health Literacy of the Population in Germany between 2014 and 2020

This article compares the results of two health literacy (HL) surveys of the population in Germany over time. The first survey was conducted in 2014, the second in 2020. The changes in GK, measured by the degree of subjectively assessed difficulties in individual information tasks in the three areas of health care, prevention, health promotion, in the total population and in subgroups are examined. The analyses were based on population-representative cross-sectional data collected in 2014 and 2020. An internationally coordinated questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47) was used to measure GK. Changes in the population groups were analysed uni- and bivariately as well as multivariately in a trend analysis. The HL of the German population has worsened statistically significantly within six years. This can be observed in all three overall domains. This effect was particularly evident among people with low social status and financial deprivation. Over time, dealing with health and disease-related information has become more difficult. As this development is mainly driven by socioeconomically disadvantaged population groups, it has apparently increased social inequality in the health sector. Promoting HL - as this and other studies show - is more important for the society than ever and should be given special attention in relation to the above-mentioned population groups.

COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors and Health Literacy, Information Evaluation, and Decision-making Skills in Japanese Adults: Cross-sectional Survey Study.

BackgroundHealth literacy is important for the prevention of COVID-19 transmission. Research in Japan shows that health literacy is related to skills in evaluating information and decision-making (skills that are not necessarily limited to information about health). Such basic skills are important, particularly when individuals encounter new health issues for which there is insufficient evidence.ObjectiveWe aimed to determine the extent to which COVID-19 preventive behaviors were associated with health literacy and skills in evaluating information and making decisions.MethodsA web-based questionnaire survey was conducted using a Japanese internet research company. The measures comprised 8 items on COVID-19 preventive behaviors, health literacy items (European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire), 5 items on information evaluation, and 4 items on decision-making process. Pearson correlations between these variables were calculated. Multivariable analyses were also conducted using the COVID-19 preventive behavior score as a dependent variable.ResultsA total of 3914 valid responses were received.COVID-19 preventive behaviors were significantly correlated with health literacy (r=0.23), information evaluation (r=0.24), and decision-making process (r=0.30). Standardized regression coefficients (health literacy: β=.11; information evaluation: β=.13; decision-making: β=.18) showed that decision-making process contributed the most.ConclusionsAlthough comprehensive health literacy is necessary for COVID-19 preventive behaviors, the skills to evaluate a wide range of information and to make appropriate decisions are no less important. Opportunities for people to acquire these skills should be available at all times.

Health Literacy and Migrant Communities in Primary Health Care.

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.

The Use of E-Cigarettes among High School Students in Poland Is Associated with Health Locus of Control but Not with Health Literacy: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Since their introduction, the use of electronic cigarettes has increased considerably in the population and among adolescents. Determinants of smoking conventional cigarettes were thoroughly studied in various social groups. However, we know less about the predictors of the use of e-cigarettes in younger generations. The main aim of this study was the assessment of the factors associated with the use of electronic cigarettes among high school students. Specifically, the roles of health literacy (HL) and health locus of control (HLC) were addressed. The analysis was based on the data from a ‘pen-and-pencil’ survey performed in a large sample of 2223 high school students from southern Poland. The tools used in the survey encompassed 133 items, including a 47-item European Health Literacy Survey questionnaire, an 18-item Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, and a set of questions asking about the health behaviors, and sociodemographic and economic characteristics of respondents. In the study sample, 47.5% of the respondents had used e-cigarettes in the past, and 18.6% had used them in the last month. HL was not significantly associated with dependent variables reflecting the use of e-cigarettes. Two types of external HLC were associated with using e-cigarettes in the past, and ‘Chance’ HLC (CHLC) was also associated with their use in the last month. Males, students of schools providing vocational training, and students declaring more Internet use during the week showed a higher likelihood of ever using e-cigarettes or using them in the last month. Students smoking conventional cigarettes were also more prone to use e-cigarettes. To sum up, it was an unexpected result that HL is not associated with the use of e-cigarettes. A greater likelihood of using e-cigarettes was positively associated with higher CHLC scores, as in the case of smoking traditional cigarettes.

Literacy Survey and International Cooperation for Guaranteeing Basic Education.

Literacy Survey and International Cooperation for Guaranteeing Basic Education.

Comparative study of different SES neighborhood clinics for health literacy and internet access.

BackgroundAs healthcare services are increasingly dependent on patient utilization of technology to effectively deliver services, the digital divide has the potential to exacerbate health disparities if health literacy and internet access present formidable barriers to patient use of technology.MethodsWe examined the differences in health literacy and internet access between lower and upper SES neighborhood primary-care clinics in Northeast Florida. The REALM-SF for health literacy was used to assess health literacy and census survey questions were used to assess internet and technology access, during the Fall, 2020. The clinics were affiliated with a safety-net hospital in a major city in Southeastern U.S.ResultsAnalysis of key demographic data confirmed that the responding patients from economically disadvantaged neighborhood clinics resided in economically disadvantaged zip codes (307 responding patients lived in lower SES neighborhoods) and did have lower education levels (3% of the patients from Upper SES clinics had 11 grade or lower education, compared to 21%–29% of patients from Lower SES clinics). Patient health literacy significantly differed between clinics located in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods and clinics located in more affluent neighborhoods, with Upper SES clinics being 2.4 times more likely to have 9th grade or higher reading level. Access to internet technology was also higher in the Upper SES clinics, with 59% of respondents from Upper SES clinics versus 32%–40% from Lower SES clinics owning a computer or an IPAD.ConclusionResults of this study have important implications for patient-engaged use of digital technology for health. Healthcare and public health clinics should be aware of the difference in health literacy and internet access when implementing technology-based services, so that advances in medicine, including precision medicine and telehealth, can be disseminated and implemented with broad populations, including disadvantaged groups.

Promoting adolescent health: health literacy, self-efficacy and internet use.

Adolescents are mostly considered as a healthy population; however, failure to acquire positive health behaviors during this period makes them vulnerable to poor health outcomes and long-term chronic disorders. Health literacy is one of the most influential parameters in promoting adolescent health. This study aimed to determine the level and promoters of health literacy in adolescents, emphasize the importance of internet use, and evaluate the relationship between self-efficacy and health literacy. A total of 756 adolescents aged 15 and 18 years attending two high schools in socioeconomically different districts in Ankara, Turkey were included in this cross-sectional study. A survey consisting of descriptive questions, a health literacy survey, and a general self-efficacy scale were used to collect data. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Among the adolescents who participated in the study, the level of health literacy was inadequatelimited in 56.1%, sufficient in 30.1%, and excellent in 13.8%. A statistically significant correlation was found between health literacy and general self-efficacy levels (r: .412, p < 0.001). There was also a statistically significant difference between the health literacy groups in terms of the education level of the adolescents` mothers, internet use frequency, and self-efficacy level. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the participants whose mothers had only received primary school education or no formal education, those that were not using the internet regularly, those that did not search health information on the internet, and those with poor self-efficacy levels were more likely to have an inadequate level of health literacy [odds ratio (OR)=2.6, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.4-4.9; OR=5.5, 95% CI=1.2-25.1; OR=1.7, 95% CI=1.1-2.9; and OR=3.7, 95% CI=2.6- 5.2, respectively]. In this study, it was concluded that the adolescents` health literacy and general self-efficacy levels were related. Furthermore, the health literacy level of the adolescents was associated with internet use and maternal education status.

ФІНАНСОВА ГРАМОТНІСТЬ НАСЕЛЕННЯ: ВІТЧИЗНЯНИЙ ДОСВІД ТА УКРАЇНСЬКІ РЕАЛІЇ

The article proves the need to master the financial literacy base for all segments and categories of citizens (pupils, students, adults), establishes the interest of the state and financial institutions, in particular in the financial literacy of its citizens, the impact of the level of population’s financial literacy on the development of the financial market, the shadow economy, the attitude of the population of Ukraine to reforms and government initiatives. It is determined that due to insufficient competence in financial matters and insufficient financial literacy Ukrainians suffer from lack of funds and actions of fraudsters. It has been established that Ukrainians focus on the short-term perspective - they live in the present and do not save for the future. It has been conducted a study of the state of financial literacy of Ukraine, as well as comparing it with domestic experience. An analysis of the national financial literacy survey was conducted, which calculated the OECD Financial Literacy Index for Ukraine, and the results were compared with thirty other countries. It is established that financial literacy is one of the components of financial well-being of the population. The main factors that affect the well-being of the population of Ukraine are identified: the availability of control over expenditures, loans for everyday needs. The reasons for low financial literacy of the population of Ukraine have been identified (lack of training of Ukrainian citizens on the basics of financial literacy; improper provision of quality financial information to potential consumers of financial services; failure of the majority of the population to understand financial knowledge as necessary; low level of material and financial well-being of the majority of the population of Ukraine; lack of a single organization (at the level of the National Bank of Ukraine and the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine) which would promote financial literacy of the population; lack of approved university and school programs that would teach students the basics of financial literacy in a market economy). It is proposed to create a new program, which would be solved by the state with the support of financial organizations and business structures.

Significance and Problems of Literacy Survey: From a Viewpoint of Guaranteed Basic Education

Significance and Problems of Literacy Survey: From a Viewpoint of Guaranteed Basic Education

Health Literacy Cross-Sectional National Survey in Cameroon General Population

<i>Background: </i>Health literacy (HL) is the ability of an individual to obtain and translate knowledge and information in order to maintain and improve health in a way which is appropriate to that individual and system contexts. It has become a priority for health in the 21^st century, and many countries have included HL as a key priority in their policies and practices. However, in many African countries, such as Cameroon, information about the status of HL among population remains scarce. <i>Objective:</i> This study sought to describe the HL level of the Cameroonian population and its determinants.<i> Methods: </i>A cross-sectional national survey using the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire short forms (HLS-EU-Q16) was conducted. Both English and French version of HLSEU16 were used due to the fact that the country is bilingual. 1,226 persons (50.5% females, ages 15-96 years, mean age 27.99 years, standard deviation 9.73) completed an online (47%) and paper (53%) questionnaire. <i>Results:</i> At least one quarter (1/4) of respondents (24.6%) showed insufficient HL and 74.3%, almost three quarter (3/4) had limited (insufficient and problematic) HL. Sufficient HL was predominant in all subcategories of the population. Subgroups within the population with low HL were those with more than two chronic diseases (<I>F</I>(3; 1,222) = 4.673, p = .003) and those living in rural areas (<I>F</I>(2; 1,223) = 21.870, p < .001). Participants with high HL evaluated their health as very good (<I>F</I>(3; 1,222) = 24.586, <i>p</i>< .001) and were satisfied with their life (<I>F</I>(3; 1,222) = 15.317, <i>p</i>< .001). <i>Discussion and conclusion:</i> Limited HL represents an important challenge for health policies and practices across Cameroon like in many European countries. The influence of socio-cultural aspect in HL must be taken into account when developing HL tools to ensure quality measurement and to improve health equity around the world.

Ekološka pismenost učenika u beogradskim školama - rezultati pilot istraživanja

The environmental issues that our country is faced with are numerous, while the consequences of environmental degradation affect the health and the quality of life of our citizens. In this context, the issue of environmental education and environmental literacy is gaining momentum. In the present pilot research we examined the possibility of applying an international instrument for determining the level of environmental literacy, the Middle School Environmental Literacy Survey (MSELS), on a population of students in the higher grades of elementary school in Serbia. This instrument measures the environmental literacy using four components: environmental knolwedge, environmental affect, cognitive skills, and environmental behavior, together with corresponding sub-components. The content of the instrument was analyzed in the context of Biology and Civic education curricula as well as educational standards for the end of compulsory education for the subject Biology. Survey method was used in the research, while the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The data were collected on a sample of the seventh-grade elementary school students (N=111) from the territory of Belgrade. In addition, five group interviews were conducted with the students to check the clarity of the content of the instrument. The researchers established that the implementation of this instrument is adequate on several grounds: 1) the instrument is well-grounded in theory; 2) the instrument is based on a comprehensive approach to environmental literacy measurement; 3) the instrument is adequate in terms of the teaching and learning program in our education system and 4) the instrument has solid metric features. An overall reliability of the instrument is ,87. The respondents had the highest score in the component of affective attitudes towards environment, relative to other measured components, as well as relative to two countries used for comparing the results (USA, Greece). The lowest score was identified on the scale of the basic environmental knowledge, and the conclusion is that students did not fully master the knowledge envisaged in the educational standards for Biology lessons. The main disadvantage of the instrument is the time required for filling it out due to the amount of the content.