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Prevalence and Risk Factors of Low Health Literacy: A Community-Based Study in Shanghai, China

Author

Listed:
  • Ying Wu

    (Postdoctoral Research Station of Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
    Ying Wu and Lu Wang contributed equally to this work.)

  • Lu Wang

    (Baoshan Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Shanghai, Baoshan 201900, China
    Ying Wu and Lu Wang contributed equally to this work.)

  • Zhongyuan Cai

    (Baoshan Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Shanghai, Baoshan 201900, China)

  • Luqi Bao

    (Baoshan Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Shanghai, Baoshan 201900, China)

  • Pu Ai

    (Department of Clinic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China)

  • Zisheng Ai

    (Department of Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai 200092, China)

Abstract

Background: Health literacy is an increasingly important public health concern. However, little is known about the health literacy of general public in China. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of low health literacy and demographic associations in Shanghai, China. Methods: This study was a community-based cross-sectional health survey utilizing a multi-stage random sampling design. The sample consisted of 1360 individuals aged 15–69 years with the total community-dwelling Chinese as the sample frame. Health literacy was measured by a questionnaire developed on the basis of a national health literacy manual released by the Chinese Ministry of Health. Multiple logistic regression models were used to identify whether common socio-demographic features were associated with health literacy level. Results: The prevalence of low health literacy was 84.49% (95% CI, 82.56% to 86.41%). The prevalence of low health literacy was negatively associated with the level of education, occupation, and annual household income, but was not associated with gender, age, or the presence of non-communicable chronic disease. Conclusions: Simplifying health services, enhancing health education, and promoting interventions to improve health literacy in high-risk populations should be considered as part of the strategies in the making of health policy in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Ying Wu & Lu Wang & Zhongyuan Cai & Luqi Bao & Pu Ai & Zisheng Ai, 2017. "Prevalence and Risk Factors of Low Health Literacy: A Community-Based Study in Shanghai, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-10, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:6:p:628-:d:101254
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xia Li & Ning Ning & Yanhua Hao & Hong Sun & Lijun Gao & Mingli Jiao & Qunhong Wu & Hude Quan, 2013. "Health Literacy in Rural Areas of China: Hypertension Knowledge Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-14, March.
    2. Nutbeam, Don, 2008. "The evolving concept of health literacy," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(12), pages 2072-2078, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xueyan Chen & Tao Zhou & Di Wang, 2022. "The Impact of Multidimensional Health Levels on Rural Poverty: Evidence from Rural China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-15, March.
    2. Angela Chang & Peter J. Schulz, 2018. "The Measurements and an Elaborated Understanding of Chinese eHealth Literacy (C-eHEALS) in Chronic Patients in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-12, July.
    3. Ya Gao & Chen Chen & Hong Hui & Mingyue Chen & Ning Chen & Hong Chen & Weiming Zeng & Yan Wei & Zhaoxin Wang & Jianwei Shi, 2022. "Improving Health Literacy: Analysis of the Relationship between Residents’ Usage of Information Channels and Health Literacy in Shanghai, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-11, May.
    4. Nida Buawangpong & Wachiranun Sirikul & Chanya Anukhro & Mathuramat Seesen & Aroon La-up & Penprapa Siviroj, 2022. "Health Information Sources Influencing Health Literacy in Different Social Contexts across Age Groups in Northern Thailand Citizens," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-19, May.
    5. Wenna Wang & Yulin Zhang & Beilei Lin & Yongxia Mei & Zhiguang Ping & Zhenxiang Zhang, 2020. "The Urban-Rural Disparity in the Status and Risk Factors of Health Literacy: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Central China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-12, May.

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