The Effect of an Educational Intervention on Health Literacy and the Adoption of Nutritional Preventive Behaviors Related to Osteoporosis Among Iranian Health Volunteers

Health literacy interventions among patients with chronic diseases: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness and impact of health literacy interventions for patients with chronic diseases.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and EBSCO CINAHL from inception through March 2022. Eligible chronic diseases include diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. RCTs were included in eligible studies to assess health literacy and other relevant health outcomes. Two investigators selected studies, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality of included studies independently.

RESULTS

A total of 18 studies involving 5384 participants were included in the final analysis. The implementation of health literacy interventions exhibited a significant improvement in the health literacy level of individuals diagnosed with chronic diseases (SMD = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.40-1.10). Analysis of heterogeneity sources indicated statistically significant variations in the effects of interventions across different diseases and age groups (P < 0.05). However, no significant impact was observed on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interventions with a follow-up duration exceeding three months, or application-based interventions on the health literacy level of individuals with chronic diseases. Remarkably, our findings revealed that health literacy interventions exerted a positive influence on health status (SMD = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.13-1.34), depression and anxiety (SMD = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.17-1.63), as well as self-efficacy (SMD = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.15-0.41) among patients diagnosed with chronic diseases. Furthermore, a specific analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of these interventions on hypertension and diabetes control. The results demonstrated that health literacy interventions were more effective in enhancing hypertension control compared to diabetes control.

CONCLUSION

Health literacy interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in improving the health of patients with chronic diseases. The importance of emphasizing the quality of these interventions cannot be overstated, as factors such as appropriate intervention tools, extended intervention duration, and reliable primary care services play crucial roles in their efficacy.

Factors related with nursing students' health literacy: a cross sectional study

Background

Nursing professionals have a crucial role in promoting health literacy in health services, so it is necessary to ensure health literacy skills in future health professionals.

Objective

The objective of the study was to examine the health literacy of nursing students and its associated factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on 460 nursing students. For data collection, a semi-structured questionnaire was obtained on sociodemographic characteristics, perception and health care, use of the health system and lifestyles. In addition, health literacy was assessed using the European Health Literacy Questionnaire.

Results

6.1% of the participants had an inadequate level of health literacy and 36.5% problematic. The probability of having sufficient health literacy is directly associated with age; and inversely with smoking, prolonged screen time and living alone (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

A large percentage of nursing students need to improve their health literacy skills. It is necessary to integrate a greater number of contents in health literacy in the curriculum of nursing students.

Measuring the Structures of the Health Belief Model Integrated with Health Literacy in Predicting University Students' Adoption of Smoking Preventive Behaviors

Objectives

One of the priorities of public health in reducing smoking is to prevent young people from becoming smokers. Health literacy (HL), smoking, and preventive behaviors are related. Moreover, HL has a potential impact on strengthening the Health Belief Model (HBM). Considering the high prevalence of smoking among university students, the current study was conducted to measure the structures of the HBM integrated with HL in predicting university students' adoption of smoking preventive behaviors.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Three hundred and forty dormitory students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (Teheran, Iran) in 2016, were selected through single-stage cluster sampling for the study. The data gathering tool was a researcher-made questionnaire based on the HBM and the HL inventory for adults (HELIA). The data were analyzed using the SPSS software version.16.

Results

The multiple regression analysis showed that the application of health information from five dimensions of HL, perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, and decision-making dimensions were the predictors of smoking prevention. Also, the structures of this integrated model were able to anticipate 36.5% of the behavioral changes.

Conclusion

The HBM integrated with HL can be used as an appropriate framework for designing educational programs to encourage university students to adopt smoking preventive behaviors.