Rokohl AC, Pine NS, Adler W, Bartenschlager LAK, Wawer Matos PA, Trester M, Pine KR, Pförtner TK, Heindl LM. Health Literacy in Patients Wearing Prosthetic Eyes: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study.
Curr Eye Res 2023;
48:11-17. [PMID:
36305786 DOI:
10.1080/02713683.2022.2141783]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE
To investigate general and electronic health literacy (HL) levels in prosthetic eye wearing patients, to define factors associated with reduced HL, and to identify a potential healthcare gap.
METHODS
In this prospective cross-sectional study 148 prosthetic eye wearers were screened using the 16-item European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q16) and the 8-item electronic Health Literacy Scale (eHEALS). HLS-EU-16 and eHEALS scores were correlated to health levels, vision functioning, and sociodemographic factors.
RESULTS
A total of 85 patients (57%) had adequate, 38 (26%) problematic, and 9 (6%) inadequate general HL, while 16 (11%) had no valid HLS-EU-Q16 score. General HL was positively correlated with physical health (p = 0.009) and negatively with a migration background (p = 0.023). There was a positive correlation between electronic HL and educational level (p < 0.001), social status (p = 0.048), and mental health (p = 0.013). Higher age was associated with lower electronic HL (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
More than 30% of the prosthetic eye wearers had problematic or even inadequate general HL, suggesting a significant health care gap. To identify patients with reduced HL, a standardized screening tool should be implemented as part of routine clinical care. Within integrated care, patients with insufficient HL should be offered barrier-free advisory services and information brochures in various languages.
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