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A discursive paper on the importance of health literacy among foreign domestic workers during outbreaks of communicable diseases

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  • Ken Hok Man Ho
  • Graeme Drummond Smith

Abstract

Aim Using an integrated model of health literacy, we discuss the importance of health literacy among foreign domestic workers in the provision of informal caregiving during outbreaks of communicable diseases. COVID‐19 pandemic is used as an example. Background Adequate health literacy in the population is known to be important for the prevention of communicable diseases. Foreign domestic workers, a group of marginalised caregivers in private households, are generally presumed to have limited health literacy because of numerous socio‐cultural disadvantages. To date, there is limited evidence that these informal healthcare providers receive support from community‐based nurses. Design A discursive paper. Conclusion Foreign domestic workers, with varying levels of health literacy, may be viewed either as a resource to break the chain of infection or as a potential reservoir of communicable diseases in the community. Meanwhile, restrictions imposed in response to diseases transmissions (e.g. stay‐at‐home measures for COVID‐19) may directly exacerbate the social support received by these foreign domestic works and their ability to access health‐related information. There are also concerns about their ability to appraise and evaluate information related to communicable diseases at a time when fake news and misinformation are being disseminated through social media. Language and cultural barriers are important issues that need to be addressed to ensure that foreign domestic workers are in a position to follow public health recommendations. Relevance to clinical practice Nurses hold an important position in empowering foreign domestic workers with adequate health literacy, by engaging groups of foreign domestic workers in the community and their consulates in planning educational programmes and effectively disseminating information. At a time of global pandemic, an assessment of the health literacy levels of foreign domestic workers in places like Hong Kong is urgently required.

Suggested Citation

  • Ken Hok Man Ho & Graeme Drummond Smith, 2020. "A discursive paper on the importance of health literacy among foreign domestic workers during outbreaks of communicable diseases," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(23-24), pages 4827-4833, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jocnur:v:29:y:2020:i:23-24:p:4827-4833
    DOI: 10.1111/jocn.15495
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lindsay C. Kobayashi & Jane Wardle & Michael S. Wolf & Christian von Wagner, 2016. "Aging and Functional Health Literacy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 71(3), pages 445-457.
    2. N/A, 2011. "Books For Review," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 25(1), pages 190-190, March.
    3. Juit Lin Heng & Emilia Fan & Ee‐Yuee Chan, 2019. "Caregiving experiences, coping strategies and needs of foreign domestic workers caring for older people," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(3-4), pages 458-468, February.
    4. Graeme D. Smith & Fowie Ng & William Ho Cheung Li, 2020. "COVID‐19: Emerging compassion, courage and resilience in the face of misinformation and adversity," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(9-10), pages 1425-1428, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jeffry Oktavianus & Yanqing Sun & Fangcao Lu, 2022. "Understanding Health Information Behaviors of Migrant Domestic Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-17, October.
    2. Lui, Ingrid D. & Vandan, Nimisha & Davies, Sara E. & Harman, Sophie & Morgan, Rosemary & Smith, Julia & Wenham, Clare & Grépin, Karen Ann, 2021. "We also deserve help during the pandemic: the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 114310, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Regina Lai Tong Lee & Wai Tong Chien & Michelle Stubbs & Winnie Lai Sheung Cheng & Daniel Cheung Shing Chiu & Keith Hin Kee Fung & Ho Yu Cheng & Yuen Yu Chong & Anson Chui Yan Tang, 2022. "Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance among Healthcare Professionals and Community Stakeholders in Hong Kong: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-15, November.
    4. Ken Hok Man Ho & Chen Yang & Alex Kwun Yat Leung & Daniel Bressington & Wai Tong Chien & Qijin Cheng & Daphne Sze Ki Cheung, 2022. "Peer Support and Mental Health of Migrant Domestic Workers: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-16, June.

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