Health Information management
Aidin Ahmadi; Fatemeh Torabi; Alireza Hashemian; Reza Vaghardoost
Abstract
Introduction: The great interest in cosmetic surgeries and the possible risks of these types of surgeries make it necessary to pay attention to health literacy for the applicants of these types of surgeries in order to evaluate and make correct decisions. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate ...
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Introduction: The great interest in cosmetic surgeries and the possible risks of these types of surgeries make it necessary to pay attention to health literacy for the applicants of these types of surgeries in order to evaluate and make correct decisions. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the level of health literacy of cosmetic surgery applicantsMethods: The research method is cross-sectional. The research sample includes 189 applicants for cosmetic surgery referring to Hazrat Fatemeh Teaching Hospital in Tehran, and the Iranian Adult Health Literacy Questionnaire (HELIA) was used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics and U-Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis statistical tests were used for data analysis.Results: The average health literacy of the participants was higher than the average of the questionnaire. The highest average is related to the understanding component (85.65) and the lowest average is related to access (76.60). There is a significant relationship between the average level of health literacy of women and men in the dimension of understanding and the average of health literacy. Also, there is a significant relationship between the level of health literacy and the level of education. Applicants with a higher education degree also have a higher level of health literacy. Also, the most sources of obtaining health information for applicants is the Internet (40.74 percent).Conclusion: Although according to the results of the research, the health literacy level of the cosmetic surgery applicants was above average, but it is necessary to provide the necessary training on promoting health literacy among different groups, especially people with low literacy levels. Also, it is necessary to provide valid educational and advertising brochures in health and treatment centers for applicants
Health Information management
Rahim Shahbazi
Abstract
Introduction: Identifying the components affecting people's health literacy is one of the important areas in the field of medical sciences. In this study, the construction and validation of a health literacy questionnaire has been done.Methods: The current research is descriptive. The statistical sample ...
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Introduction: Identifying the components affecting people's health literacy is one of the important areas in the field of medical sciences. In this study, the construction and validation of a health literacy questionnaire has been done.Methods: The current research is descriptive. The statistical sample of the research is 327 graduate students of Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University who were selected by simple random method. To identify the items of the questionnaire, databases and related sources were checked first. The result of the investigation was the preparation of the initial version of the health literacy questionnaire with 28 items. Exploratory factor analysis was used to extract dimensions and items, and Cronbach's alpha was used to check the reliability. Data statistical processing was done using SPSS and Monte Carlo software. Cronbach's alpha of the questionnaire was equal to 0.89.Results: Before the factor analysis, the correlation coefficients of the scores between the questionnaire questions were checked. According to the results of Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test and Bartlett's Test of Sphericity, exploratory factor analysis on the questionnaire was deemed justified. The findings of factor analysis showed that by removing two items from the whole questionnaire and analyzing the rest and rotating the results with the Varimax method, four dimensions of "access to health information"; "understanding health information"; "evaluation of health information"; and "use of health information" is obtained. Conclusion: According to the findings, the proposed health literacy questionnaire has the necessary validity to assess the health literacy of adults.
Health Information management
shahnaz khademizadeh; Ghazavi Roghayeh; Maryam Aghaei
Abstract
Introduction: Due to the encounter of the research community with information and the discussion of distinguishing true from false information that individuals face during a crisis, this study endeavors to determine the relationship between health literacy and e-health literacy with the acceptance of ...
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Introduction: Due to the encounter of the research community with information and the discussion of distinguishing true from false information that individuals face during a crisis, this study endeavors to determine the relationship between health literacy and e-health literacy with the acceptance of conspiracy beliefs and anxiety. The future in the face of covid-19 among graduate students of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz has been conducted.Methods: The population for this correlational survey study of the research was the post-graduate students of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz in the academic year 2018-2019, which included 362 individuals in the research sample. The instrumentation included a 32-item questionnaire adopted from Duplaga & Grysztar (2021). The data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient test.Results: Correlation analysis test was used to measure the relationship between the variables. It was found that health literacy and e-health literacy had an inverse relationship with acceptance of conspiracy belief and future anxiety, and increasing health literacy and e-health literacy decreased acceptance of conspiracy belief and anxiety.Conclusion: According to the findings, students with higher health literacy act more intelligently against false and fake information and future anxiety caused by it, as well as conspiracy theories related to the information. Therefore, increasing health literacy and e-health literacy of students can help to fight against the negative consequences and bad effects of health crisis and information diseases.
Health Information management
Elham Ehsanifarid; Zarrin Zarrinabadi; Azin Jafari
Abstract
Introduction: The level of health literacy and occupational well-being of health system employees who are in charge of education and health of society is important. This study endeavoored to determine the relationship between health literacy and occupational well-being of the employees in the Abadan ...
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Introduction: The level of health literacy and occupational well-being of health system employees who are in charge of education and health of society is important. This study endeavoored to determine the relationship between health literacy and occupational well-being of the employees in the Abadan University of Medical Sciences in 1401.Methods: This cross-sectional-analytical and correlational study was conducted among 185 employees of Abadan University of Medical Sciences who were selected through cluster random sampling method. Data collection tools were demographic information, health literacy and occupational well-being. questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed through Pearson's descriptive.Results: The average health literacy score of the participants was 64.9% (adequate) and 18.9% (excellent). In the survey of obtaining information among the employees, the major source of obtaining health information was on the Internet and questions from doctors and healthcare workers (61.1%), followed by radio and television (16.8%), booklets, pamphlets, and educational brochures, and advertisement (9.7%). In terms of occupational well-being, most of the research units were 64.3% (in average level), 28.6% (in very good level) and only 7% (in poor level). The findings showed that the level of health literacy can be affected by individuals' work area and the relationship between health literacy and occupational well-being was not significant (P-value>0.05). The investigation on the relationship between occupational well-being and health literacy dimensions showed that occupational well-being has a significant and direct relationship only with the dimension of reading skill (P-value=0.03).Conclusion: Occupational well-being had no significant relationship with individuals' health literacy. It seems that other variables that were not investigated in this study can play a greater role in this field. Considering the position of health system trustees, these findings can be used by policy makers in planning and developing health literacy and occupational well-being of employees.
zahra vahdaninia; mehdi Abdolrazaqnejad; valiallah vahdaninia; Fatemeh Bagher Nazad Hesari; effat eazami
Abstract
Objective: The level of health literacy of clerics is important due to their position and verbal influence on citizens. This study endeavored to investigate health literacy among the clergy of Birjand.Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 184 clerics of Birjand through convenience ...
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Objective: The level of health literacy of clerics is important due to their position and verbal influence on citizens. This study endeavored to investigate health literacy among the clergy of Birjand.Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 184 clerics of Birjand through convenience sampling using the Iranian Health Literacy Questionnaire (National Health Literacy Research Plan) and the data were analyzed using Statistical tests t-test and analysis of variance at the significance level of = 0.05.Results: The mean score of health literacy of the participants was 122.09 ± 15.09 (average) and in terms of examining the dimensions of literacy the two dimensions of access health and information acquisition (16.83 ± 53.3) as well as judgment and evaluation (18.09 ± 3.44) obtained a poor score. In the study of sources of information in the clergy, the major source of health information was the Internet (59.2%), followed by radio and television (49.3%) and booklets, pamphlets, educational brochures, and propaganda (44%).Discussion and Conclusion: The level of health literacy of clerics in Birjand is not favorable, and considering the role and position of clerics in society, policymakers' attention to planning and development of health literacy of this reference group seems indispensable.
Abdolrasool Khosravi; Sareh Ebrahimi Davvasi; Fatemh Najafi Sharjabad; Shohreh SeyyedHosseini
Abstract
Introduction: Improving the health literacy of pregnant women facilitates their understanding of health information before, during, and after pregnancy and has a direct impact on the health of the child during the years development. Therefore, due to the importance of health literacy for pregnant women, ...
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Introduction: Improving the health literacy of pregnant women facilitates their understanding of health information before, during, and after pregnancy and has a direct impact on the health of the child during the years development. Therefore, due to the importance of health literacy for pregnant women, this study was conducted to determine health literacy of pregnant women referring to health centers in Bushehr.Methods: This study was an analytical-survey research. The population was 306 pregnant women referring to health centers in Bushehr who were selected by randomized clustering. Data were collected using health literacy questionnaire, demographic, medical, and midwifery checklist. Chi-square and Fisher test were used to analyze the data.Results: Findings revealed that 51% of pregnant women had inadequate health literacy, 25% had border health literacy, and 24% had adequate health literacy. According to the results, there was a significant relationship between the women's education (P=0.041)/ job (P=0.005), their husband's education (P=0.034)/ job (P=0.010), the pregnancy frequency (P=0.05), and health literacy. Furthermore, women who had experienced the second pregnancy or more had a higher health literacy compared with primiparous women (=18%).Conclusion: The results showed that majority of the pregnant women referring to health centers had a low health literacy. It could be recommended to educate health literacy skills and empowerment of pregnant mothers in different groups through content materials in simple language and provide oral and visual training to pregnant women.
Health Information management
Saleh Rahimi; Faramarz Soheili; Zahra Ahmadi; Fatemeh Rahimi
Abstract
Introduction: The concept of health literacy is a cognitive and social skill that determines the motivation and ability of individuals to access, understand and use information in a way that maintains and promotes their health.The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between health ...
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Introduction: The concept of health literacy is a cognitive and social skill that determines the motivation and ability of individuals to access, understand and use information in a way that maintains and promotes their health.The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between health literacy, resilience and mental health of Kermanshah public librarians.Methods: The research method was survey. The statistical population consists of Kermanshah public librarians. The questionnaires of Montazeri et al., Goldberg & Hillier and Connor & Davidson were used to collect data and measure the variables of health literacy, mental health and resilience, respectively. The validity of these questionnaires was confirmed using the opinions of five professors in the field of information science and the reliability of these questionnaires was calculated through Cronbach's alpha. In order to analyze the data and fit the model, frequency distribution tables and structural equation modeling in Warp Piels software were used.Results: The results showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between health literacy and librarians 'mental health as well as between librarians' health literacy and resilience. Finally, it was found that resilience plays a mediating role in the relationship between health literacy and mental health.Conclusion: Since librarians' mental health has a great impact on their services, so discovering and strengthening the factors affecting mental health can have a significant impact on improving the organizational performance of public libraries. Based on the findings, it seems that focusing on improving librarians' mental health by increasing health literacy and, consequently, their resilience to achieve more appropriate outcomes, is an important issue that has a mutually reinforcing effect.
Mandana Sahebzadeh; Forouzandeh Mansouri-Boroujeni; Nasrin Shaarbafchizadeh
Abstract
Introduction: Health literacy is defined as the capacity of individuals to obtain, process, and understand health information and services as the basis for appropriate health decisions, and low-health literacy has a variety of adverse outcomes. On the other hand, the importance of measuring the satisfaction ...
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Introduction: Health literacy is defined as the capacity of individuals to obtain, process, and understand health information and services as the basis for appropriate health decisions, and low-health literacy has a variety of adverse outcomes. On the other hand, the importance of measuring the satisfaction of patients' companions is considered as one of the important and basic criteria determining the quality of care services. In view of this, the study was conducted to determine the relationship between health literacy of patients in psychiatric wards and their satisfaction with service providers in the hospitals affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.Methods: To conduct this descriptive-applied study, 330 patients from psychiatric wards of hospitals affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in the second semester of academic year of 2019 were selected using available sampling method. To collect the data, two standard questionnaires, Health Literacy for Iranian Adults (HELIA) and a researcher-made satisfaction questionnaire (95% Cronbach's alpha), were used. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Pearson correlation test, and Shapiro Wilk test were used to analyze the data.Results: 33.95% of the participants were at level of not-enough health literacy, 22.72% had inadequate health literacy, 18.28% sufficient health literacy, and 15.15% had excellent health literacy. The highest score of satisfaction with hospital services was 3.89 for the guard unit and the lowest score was 3.55 for the writing unit. There was a direct and significant relationship between health literacy of peers and their satisfaction.Conclusion: The results revealed that the patients with higher health literacy were more satisfied with the services provided by the hospitals. Accordingly, planning to increase the level of health literacy of companions to increase their satisfaction seems necessary. Taking measures such as providing brochures and information pamphlets (during admission and discharge) can help to increase their level of health literacy of patients.
Fatima Baji; Mohammad Hossein Haghighizadeh; Arezu Karimzadeh-Bardei
Abstract
Introduction: Although several studies have been conducted on online health information seeking behavior and its relationship with health beliefs, there are still gaps in identifying the exact and comprehensive relationships of these factors in Iran. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships ...
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Introduction: Although several studies have been conducted on online health information seeking behavior and its relationship with health beliefs, there are still gaps in identifying the exact and comprehensive relationships of these factors in Iran. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between health belief model and the intention to search online health information among university students in Ahvaz City, Iran.Methods: In this correlational study, the statistical population consisted of all students who study at universities in Ahvaz City, in the academic year of 2019. To determine the sample size of the research, according to the Cochran formula, 600 students were selected through stratified random sampling method, and using a mixed questionnaire consisted of 6 components and 30 items. The reliability of the questionnaire was 0.886 using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. 527 questionnaires were distributed and the data were analyzed using multivariate regression method.Results: Most of the respondents were in the age group of 21-30 years (55.8%). According to the final analysis, the “perceived benefits” explained 66.8% of the changes in the intention to seek health information. In addition, “perceived severity”, “perceived susceptibility”, and “self-efficacy”, accounted for 24.7%, 17.5%, 14.0% of the variation in intention to seek health information, respectively. However, the relationship between “perceived barriers” and intention to seek health information was not confirmed.Conclusion: Seeking for health information in the Internet is influenced by health beliefs, and the Internet, as the most important and accessible information source, has many benefits for the students; thus, affecting the severity and sensitivity of this stratum to use, adds health information daily. This indicates a relatively high level of awareness among students about improving their health information.
Mohammad Hosein Hayavi-Haghighi; Zari Rahmatpasand-Fatideh; Mohammad Dehghani
Abstract
Patients apply the Personal Health Record (PHR) to access and use their record information and other medical resources. This study aimed to explain the concept, requirements, and challenges of PHR. This was a narrative literature review conducted by searching Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Scientific Information ...
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Patients apply the Personal Health Record (PHR) to access and use their record information and other medical resources. This study aimed to explain the concept, requirements, and challenges of PHR. This was a narrative literature review conducted by searching Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Scientific Information Database (SID) databases. Different studies agreed that PHR should be electronic, and the patient should be able to manage and control it. PHR requirements were technical (interoperability and functionality), legal (data security, privacy, and confidentiality), and social (health literacy and personal responsibility) issues. PHR challenges could be categorized as organizational (change management), data (data custodianship, access, and content of PHR), and legal (liability and policy constraints). Successful implementation of PHR was based on understanding of the care environment, users, and needs. The widespread use of PHR required full cooperation of system designers, care providers, health policymakers, and the public.
Seyed Javad Ghazi-Mirsaeed; Mahmood Ghaemizade
Abstract
Introduction: Today, the health information and services are delivered via internet and other communication devices, accessing which requires some capabilities and skills known as eHealth literacy. The aim of this study was to determine the state of the eHealth literacy of postgraduate students in Tehran ...
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Introduction: Today, the health information and services are delivered via internet and other communication devices, accessing which requires some capabilities and skills known as eHealth literacy. The aim of this study was to determine the state of the eHealth literacy of postgraduate students in Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, in 2015-2016 educational years.Methods: This was a descriptive survey carried out among 700 postgraduate students of six selected majors in Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The sample size was determined to be 248, using Morgan table. Sampling was carried out using proportional sampling method. The data were collected through a questionnaire. The validity of questionnaire was confirmed through the experts’ opinions, and its reliability was measured through Cronbach’s alpha (α = 0.752). The collected data were analyzed using one-sample independent t test.Results: The mean score of eHealth literacy among the sample of study was 48.367, which was above the average (t = 17.692, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between eHealth literacy level among men and women. The eHealth literacy level of PhD students was estimated to be higher than MSc Students.Conclusion: The studied population needs to be strengthening in the fields of working with word processors and understanding, evaluating, and interpreting research data. Being higher than average in eHealth literacy shows that studied population may be used as eHealth literacy instructors for other parts of society.
Asadollah Khadivi
Abstract
Introduction: Health literacy is considered as a global issue, and is considered by policymakers because of its role in decision making of individuals in health-related areas as one of the basic tools for improving the health of the community. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of health ...
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Introduction: Health literacy is considered as a global issue, and is considered by policymakers because of its role in decision making of individuals in health-related areas as one of the basic tools for improving the health of the community. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of health literacy among secondary school girl students in Tabriz City, Iran based on demographic characteristics.Methods: This was a descriptive-survey study. The statistical population of the study was 25112 secondary school girl students in Tabriz City. The size was 387 using Morgan table, and they were selected using two-stage cluster sampling method. The research tool was Montazeri et al. standard health literacy questionnaire which had 5 dimensions and 33 items. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance analysis (MANOVA).Results: There was a significant difference between the scores of students' health literacy and their dimensions, accessibility, reading, understanding, evaluation, and decision making, in the three age groups. Moreover, there was a significant difference between the reading, comprehension, assessment, and decision-making scores of students in the five areas, but there was no significant difference between the access scores of students in the districts.Conclusion: The results of the study could be used in education programming to improve health literacy among students. The students, who find more educational achievement via this programs, are the main beneficiaries in this regard.
Fatemeh Fahimnia; Mahboobeh Momtazan
Abstract
Introduction: Health literacy has been attended by UNESCO and all human societies from years ago. Due to the importance of this kind of literacy in individual and society health status, many studies have been conducted on the development of this type of literacy in various fields of health and medicine. ...
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Introduction: Health literacy has been attended by UNESCO and all human societies from years ago. Due to the importance of this kind of literacy in individual and society health status, many studies have been conducted on the development of this type of literacy in various fields of health and medicine. Self-efficacy can help the people to promote their health literacy, and on the other hand, is related to the ability of individuals to maintain their own, family, and community health. This study reviewed the self-efficacy of health literacy and affecting factors in previous studies.Methods: The present study used a far-reaching approach to analyze the findings of qualitative studies on health literacy. After identifying the keywords and searching the internal and external databases including Magiran, Scientific Information Database (SID), and PubMed, 649 articles were found. By reviewing articles and applying language, years, and study type filters 25 papers were selected, and the categories were extracted using Shannon's table and Cohen's Kappa coefficient.Results: Codes were classified into three categories and eight concepts. The category of psychological factors included three concepts of self-management, individual skills, and social skills, the category of communication components included two concepts of communication and health information exchange, and the category of educational factors included three concepts of educational content and resources, educational barriers and constraints, and educational effectiveness. Codes such as self-efficacy, self-management, awareness of disease symptoms, and awareness of preventive measures had the most prevalence among various categories.Conclusion: In this study, factors affecting the self-efficacy of health literacy were identified, that could be used to plan effective health literacy training programs to promote health status.
Fatemeh Baji; Fereydoun Azadeh; Parastoo Parsaei-Mohammadi; Shoukat Parmah
Abstract
Introduction: Creating an image of the conceptual structure of health literacy area, as well as the study of interdisciplinary and the relationship between its domains seems necessary. The present study examined the intellectual structure of health literacy area in Web of Science database using co-word ...
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Introduction: Creating an image of the conceptual structure of health literacy area, as well as the study of interdisciplinary and the relationship between its domains seems necessary. The present study examined the intellectual structure of health literacy area in Web of Science database using co-word analysis.Methods: This was a scientometrics research and bibliometric study, carried out using co-word analysis method. Social network analysis was used for this purpose. The research community compiled all the relevant scientific literature on the field of health literacy in Web of Science during the years 1993-2017. For data analysis, network integrity and centrality indices were used.Results: Clustering co-efficient (7.17) and network density (0.58) were high in the resulted network. Moreover, the intellectual structure of this domain consisted of eight subject clusters. Health care, psychiatry and psychology, public health, social sciences, communications, health services, and medical education had the highest levels of centrality throughout the entire network.Conclusion: The results show that the intellectual structure of the health literacy domain in general has an integrate structure with a proper relationship between its concepts and subjects. This shows the essence of this area, which is able to establish a consistent and sustained relationship with the social sciences and humanities as a branch of medical science. Finally, the results of this study will help health literacy researchers to understand the research trend of this area in future studies based on the identified areas of influence.
Azam Sabahi; Leila Ahmadian; Rezvan Ansari; Fatemeh Salehi; Moghadameh Mirzaei
Volume 13, Issue 6 , November 2017, , Pages 394-398
Abstract
Introduction: Health knowledge acquisition, training, and controlling of risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) can not only reduce healthcare costs, but can also improve the quality of life (QOL) of patients and help prevent re-hospitalization. The purpose of this research was to evaluate heart ...
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Introduction: Health knowledge acquisition, training, and controlling of risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) can not only reduce healthcare costs, but can also improve the quality of life (QOL) of patients and help prevent re-hospitalization. The purpose of this research was to evaluate heart patients’ point of view on health knowledge acquisition and its role in the treatment process.Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was carried out on 200 patients with CVD. Data were collected using a questionnaire the validity and reliability of which were, respectively, confirmed by experts and by means of test-retest (20, 0.82). Data were analyzed using descriptive (frequency and percentage) and analytical statistics (chi-squared test and marginal independence).Results: After the diagnosis of heart disease, 80.5% of patients had tried to enhance their knowledge about their disease. To increase their knowledge, all of them (161 individuals) used the physician as a source of knowledge acquisition. Overall, 146 (90.7%) patients had acquired knowledge regarding the causes of the disease. A small percentage of the patients believed that educational CDs could help improve their knowledge.Conclusion: The results of this study can be used to plan for the improvement of health knowledge among patients. Determining the most common sources of knowledge acquisition can help in the provision of knowledge through these sources. This can also clarify the reasons for the lack of use of other sources.
Masomeh Ansari; Eham Shahdadnejad; Mehrdad Khalediyan; Mozhdeh Salajegheh
Volume 14, Issue 5 , October 2017, , Pages 224-227
Abstract
about person’s health. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of literacy among 18-50-year old people that referred to the public libraries of Kerman, Iran.Methods: Sample size determined 375 people using clustering method. Research tool was health literacy for Iranian adults (HELIA) ...
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about person’s health. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of literacy among 18-50-year old people that referred to the public libraries of Kerman, Iran.Methods: Sample size determined 375 people using clustering method. Research tool was health literacy for Iranian adults (HELIA) standard assessment questionnaire (reliability was 0.89). Data were analyzed by Student's independent t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA).Results: Mean of health literacy has the highest and lowest scores in knowledge (14.9) and reading (8.5) subcomponents, respectively. Research findings, in general, showed that 24% (90 people) of clients had sufficient health literacy, 52.3% (196 people) had average health literacy and 23.7% (89 people) had weak health literacy. Therefore, health literacy level of 18-50-year old clients of libraries under coverage public libraries institution of Kerman was middle.Conclusion: In regard to the middle level of health literacy, creating and presenting valid and up-to-date hygienic content of health centers could be effective in promoting the public health literacy level of society.
Elham Saljoughi; Nona Aghasi; Mahdieh Asadi; Maryam Okhovati
Volume 13, Issue 2 , April 2016, , Pages 108-113
Abstract
Introduction: Since the relationship between the user and the web is through the user interface, it is essential that health websites be user-centric. The aim of the present study was to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the user interface of health websites in Iran. Methods: ...
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Introduction: Since the relationship between the user and the web is through the user interface, it is essential that health websites be user-centric. The aim of the present study was to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the user interface of health websites in Iran. Methods: This applied and descriptive research was conducted using heuristic method. Based on their Alexa rank and the rate of related pages, 13 health websites were selected. The websites were examined by 5 evaluators (3 graduates in computer sciences and 2 in medical library and information sciences) using a checklist containing 5 major criteria and 27 items. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in Excel software. Results: The health literacy websites had observed 63.78% of the criteria of the checklist. The criteria of flexibility (89%), technical features (81%), and aesthetics and visibility (77%) gained the highest scores, respectively. However, the lowest scores belonged to the criteria of help and documentation (36.9%) and responsiveness and interaction (35%). Conclusion: The websites’ user interfaces were in relatively desirable conditions. According to the findings, the criteria of help and documentation and responsiveness and interaction require more attention. It is suggested that these websites resolve the identified problems and minimize the gap between them and the users, so that users can visit these websites more frequently.
Abdolrasul khosravi; khadijeh Ahmadzadeh; Shole Arastoopoor; Rahim Tahmasbi
Volume 12, Issue 2 , April 2015, , Pages 194-205
Abstract
Introduction: Health literacy is: “ the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. Functional health literacy is critically important during the typical patient–provider encounter ...
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Introduction: Health literacy is: “ the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. Functional health literacy is critically important during the typical patient–provider encounter so this research aims to investigate the level of the health literacy of diabetic patients attending health centers in Shiraz (Iran).Methods: In this descriptive survey, 400 diabetic patients attending health centers in Shiraz (Iran) during Mordad and Shahrivar 1391 were selected as a sample study. Health literacy was measured by Normalized Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults. Its reliability was obtained using test-retest correlation (0.99). Data were analyzed using SPSS and Independent t-tests, One Way ANOVA and Pearson correlation at a significant level (pvalue>0.05).Results: The findings show that the level of the health literacy of these diabetic patients is in marginal level. Health literacy was associated by sexuality, education, type of work.Conclusion: Generally, this research showed that the health literacy level is not adequate. This result determines that notice to health literacy and trying to improve it is important. Providing easy and readable educational resources for patients, educational classes for them and so on are some ways to improve health literacy.
Hamideh Mollakhalili; Ahmad Papi; Gholamreza Sharifirad; Firoozeh Zare Farashbandi; Akbar HasanZadeh
Volume 11, Issue 4 , November 2014, , Pages 464-473
Abstract
Introduction: Health literacy is a necessary skill for every member of society and helps normal citizens to obtain the knowledge needed to maintain their health. Health literacy is a set of skills in reading, listening, analysis, decision making and the ability to apply these skills to health situations. ...
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Introduction: Health literacy is a necessary skill for every member of society and helps normal citizens to obtain the knowledge needed to maintain their health. Health literacy is a set of skills in reading, listening, analysis, decision making and the ability to apply these skills to health situations. The purpose of this study was to assess health literacy level in Inpatients of educational Hospitals of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2012. Methods: the statistical population was the inpatients of educational hospitals of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences among which 384 patients were selected as sample based on the assumption of a statistical population with unlimited size. Health literacy was measured by the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA). Reliability of Questionnaire was obtained through Cronbach's alpha which was calculated to be 0.89 and its validity was confirmed by related experts. The data was collected in clinical inquiry and was analyzed using SPSS 20 software using Descriptive (Frequency distribution, mean, standard deviation) and analytical statistics (Independent T-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation test and Spearman correlation test). Results: The average of Health literacy scores in Inpatients was 31.35 in Numeracy test and 31.94 in Reading Comprehension test. The mean total score of health literacy of the patients was 63.29. Thus, the Most of these Inpatients were found to have inadequate health literacy. There were no significant relations between health literacy with gender and monthly income of the patients. On the other hand, health literacy was inversely proportional to the patients' age. Also the mean of health literacy score and its related domains was meaningfully lower in married patients compared to single ones. There was also a direct relation between educational level and health literacy and a meaningful relation was observed between health literacy and the patients' occupation in a way that retired patients and laborers had the lowest health literacy. Also there was no meaningful relation between health literacy of the patients and their place of residence. Conclusion: The results showed that the health literacy was adequate in only 130 patients and most of the patients had poor or marginal health literacy. These patients require more help and time from the medical staff in order to understand the doctors' instructions and other health information. Therefore doctors and nurses must spend more time communicating with them in a simpler and easier to understand language.
Saeed Karimi; Mahmood Keyvanara; Mohsen Hosseini; Marzie Jafarian; elahe khorasani
Volume 10, Issue 6 , December 2012, , Pages 862-875
Abstract
Introduction: Health literacy is the degree to which people understand the health information and can operate in the health care system. Consequences of low health literacy occur both directly and indirectly. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine health literacy, health status and health ...
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Introduction: Health literacy is the degree to which people understand the health information and can operate in the health care system. Consequences of low health literacy occur both directly and indirectly. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine health literacy, health status and health services utilization and their relationships in adults in Isfahan. Methods: This study was a descriptive analytical survey on 300 (18-64 years old) people in Isfahan, multi stage sampling was performed. For collecting the data, questionnaire adapted from CHAP (Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) health literacy questionnaire was used. Health status was measured by self-assessment of physical and mental health over the last 6 months. Health services utilization was asked by six areas that include the number of GP visits, number of special physician visits, number of outpatient or clinic visits, number of the emergency department visits, number of diagnostic services use of the last 3 months and the hospitalization in the past year. For data analysis SPSS18 software, descriptive statistics and Chi-square test was used. Results: Average health literacy score was 2.4, which was moderate. The average health status score was 3.1, which was good and the average health services utilization score was 2.1, which was weak. Health literacy, health status and health care utilization were not statistically significant. Levels of education and place of residence were effective on health services utilization. Conclusion: According to the average prevalence of health literacy in adults in Isfahan and low health services utilization, more attention to the improvement of health literacy and doctor-patient relationship and awareness of community through health programs and media was recommended. Keywords: Health Literacy; Health Status; Health Services; Utilization
