IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i24p13386-d706221.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Role of Health Literacy in COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors and Infection Risk Perception: Evidence from a Population-Based Sample of Essential Frontline Workers during the Lockdown in the Province of Prato (Tuscany, Italy)

Author

Listed:
  • Vieri Lastrucci

    (Epidemiology Unit, Meyer Children’s University Hospital, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini 24, 50139 Florence, Italy
    Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Chiara Lorini

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Marco Del Riccio

    (Medical Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Eleonora Gori

    (Medical Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Fabrizio Chiesi

    (Medical Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Andrea Moscadelli

    (Medical Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Beatrice Zanella

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Sara Boccalini

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Angela Bechini

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Francesco Puggelli

    (Management Department, Meyer Children’s University Hospital, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini 24, 50139 Florence, Italy)

  • Renzo Berti

    (Department of Prevention, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Toscana Centro, Via Lavarone 3/5, 59100 Prato, Italy)

  • Paolo Bonanni

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Guglielmo Bonaccorsi

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

Abstract

Background: The effectiveness of pandemic control measures requires a broad understanding from the population. This study aimed to evaluate the role played by health literacy (HL) in influencing the adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures and risk perception of essential frontline workers during the lockdown period. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a population-based sample of frontline workers from Prato Province (Italy). Data on knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 preventive measures and risk perception were collected. HL was measured with the HLS-EU-Q6 tool. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed. Results: A total of 751 people participated in this study, and 56% of the sample showed a sufficient level of HL. In the multivariate models, HL resulted in being positively correlated with both knowledge (beta 0.32 for sufficient HL, 0.11 for problematic HL) and attitudes (beta 0.33 for sufficient HL, 0.17 for problematic HL) towards the importance of COVID-19 preventive measures. The HL level was not associated with the adoption of preventive behaviors and COVID-19 risk perception. Conclusions: HL may play a key role in maintaining a high adherence to infection prevention behaviors and may be a factor to take into account in the implementation of public health interventions in pandemic times.

Suggested Citation

  • Vieri Lastrucci & Chiara Lorini & Marco Del Riccio & Eleonora Gori & Fabrizio Chiesi & Andrea Moscadelli & Beatrice Zanella & Sara Boccalini & Angela Bechini & Francesco Puggelli & Renzo Berti & Paolo, 2021. "The Role of Health Literacy in COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors and Infection Risk Perception: Evidence from a Population-Based Sample of Essential Frontline Workers during the Lockdown in the Province o," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:24:p:13386-:d:706221
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/24/13386/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/24/13386/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Liliana Cori & Fabrizio Bianchi & Ennio Cadum & Carmen Anthonj, 2020. "Risk Perception and COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-6, April.
    2. Yong-Bing Liu & Liu Liu & Yan-Fei Li & Yan-Li Chen, 2015. "Relationship between Health Literacy, Health-Related Behaviors and Health Status: A Survey of Elderly Chinese," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-12, August.
    3. Noel T. Brewer & Janice P. Tzeng & Sarah E. Lillie & Alrick S. Edwards & Jeffrey M. Peppercorn & Barbara K. Rimer, 2009. "Health Literacy and Cancer Risk Perception: Implications for Genomic Risk Communication," Medical Decision Making, , vol. 29(2), pages 157-166, March.
    4. Joanna Gaitens & Marian Condon & Eseosa Fernandes & Melissa McDiarmid, 2021. "COVID-19 and Essential Workers: A Narrative Review of Health Outcomes and Moral Injury," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-18, February.
    5. Patrizio Zanobini & Chiara Lorini & Vieri Lastrucci & Valentina Minardi & Valentina Possenti & Maria Masocco & Giorgio Garofalo & Giovanna Mereu & Guglielmo Bonaccorsi, 2021. "Health Literacy, Socio-Economic Determinants, and Healthy Behaviours: Results from a Large Representative Sample of Tuscany Region, Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-11, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Guglielmo Bonaccorsi & Veronica Gallinoro & Andrea Guida & Chiara Morittu & Valerio Ferro Allodola & Vieri Lastrucci & Patrizio Zanobini & Orkan Okan & Kevin Dadaczynski & Chiara Lorini, 2023. "Digital Health Literacy and Information-Seeking in the Era of COVID-19: Gender Differences Emerged from a Florentine University Experience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-12, January.
    2. Vieri Lastrucci & Chiara Lorini & Lorenzo Stacchini & Enrica Stancanelli & Andrea Guida & Alessio Radi & Chiara Morittu & Salvatore Zimmitti & Giorgia Alderotti & Marco Del Riccio & Angela Bechini & S, 2022. "Determinants of Actual COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in a Cohort of Essential Workers: An Area-Based Longitudinal Study in the Province of Prato, Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-12, October.
    3. Caitlin Bosch & Edwig Hauwanga & Beauty E. Omoruyi & Benjamin I. Okeleye & Vincent I. Okudoh & Yapo G. Aboua, 2022. "Effects of Population Knowledge, Perceptions, Attitudes, and Practices on COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control in NUST," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-12, May.
    4. Chiara Lorini & Vieri Lastrucci & Beatrice Zanella & Eleonora Gori & Fabrizio Chiesi & Angela Bechini & Sara Boccalini & Marco Del Riccio & Andrea Moscadelli & Francesco Puggelli & Renzo Berti & Paolo, 2022. "Predictors of Influenza Vaccination Uptake and the Role of Health Literacy among Health and Social Care Volunteers in the Province of Prato (Italy)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-13, May.
    5. Aldo Rosano & Chiara Lorini & Brigid Unim & Robert Griebler & Chiara Cadeddu & Luca Regazzi & Daniela Galeone & Luigi Palmieri, 2022. "Coronavirus-Related Health Literacy: A Cross-Sectional Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-13, March.
    6. Mariusz Duplaga, 2022. "The Roles of Health and e-Health Literacy, Conspiracy Beliefs and Political Sympathy in the Adherence to Preventive Measures Recommended during the Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-13, July.
    7. Patrizio Zanobini & Chiara Lorini & Saverio Caini & Vieri Lastrucci & Maria Masocco & Valentina Minardi & Valentina Possenti & Giovanna Mereu & Rossella Cecconi & Guglielmo Bonaccorsi, 2022. "Health Literacy, Socioeconomic Status and Vaccination Uptake: A Study on Influenza Vaccination in a Population-Based Sample," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-12, June.
    8. Ngqabutho Moyo & Anita D. Bhappu & Moment Bhebhe & Farai Ncube, 2022. "Perceived Risk of COVID-19 and Employee Decision-Making: How Psychological Distress during the Pandemic Increases Negative Performance Outcomes among Healthcare Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-16, June.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Tony Lee & Benjamin J. Becerra & Monideepa B. Becerra, 2023. "“ Seems Like There Is No Stopping Point at All Whatsoever ”: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Public Health Workforce Perception on COVID-19 Pandemic Management and Future Needs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(14), pages 1-9, July.
    2. Erika Meza & Leslie Giglio & Ana O. Franco & Elizabeth Rodriguez & Laura Stock & John Balmes & Jacqueline M. Torres & Alicia Fernandez, 2022. "Worker Perspectives on COVID-19 Risks: A Qualitative Study of Latino Construction Workers in Oakland, California," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-11, August.
    3. Yaniv Hanoch & Talya Miron-Shatz & Mary Himmelstein, 2010. "Genetic testing and risk interpretation: How do women understand lifetime risk results?," Judgment and Decision Making, Society for Judgment and Decision Making, vol. 5(2), pages 116-123, April.
    4. María del Carmen Pérez-Fuentes & María del Mar Molero Jurado & África Martos Martínez & Elena Fernández-Martínez & Raquel Franco Valenzuela & Iván Herrera-Peco & Diana Jiménez-Rodríguez & Inmaculada M, 2020. "Design and Validation of the Adaptation to Change Questionnaire: New Realities in Times of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-15, August.
    5. Pierluigi Diotaiuti & Giuseppe Valente & Stefania Mancone & Lavinia Falese & Fernando Bellizzi & Daniela Anastasi & Elisa Langiano & Fábio Hech Dominski & Alexandro Andrade, 2021. "Perception of Risk, Self-Efficacy and Social Trust during the Diffusion of Covid-19 in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-17, March.
    6. Annie Jane Keeney & Amy Quandt & Mercy D. Villaseñor & Daniela Flores & Luis Flores, 2022. "Occupational Stressors and Access to COVID-19 Resources among Commuting and Residential Hispanic/Latino Farmworkers in a US-Mexico Border Region," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-15, January.
    7. 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.
    8. Arielle Kaim & Maya Siman-Tov & Eli Jaffe & Bruria Adini, 2021. "From Isolation to Containment: Perceived Fear of Infectivity and Protective Behavioral Changes during the COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-12, June.
    9. Chengbo Li & Mengyao Liu & Jin Zhou & Mei Zhang & Huanchang Liu & Yuting Wu & Hui Li & George W. Leeson & Tingting Deng, 2022. "Do Health Information Sources Influence Health Literacy among Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Urban Areas of Western China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-19, October.
    10. Yan Feng & Erpeng Liu & Zhang Yue & Qilin Zhang & Tiankuo Han, 2019. "The Evolutionary Trends of Health Behaviors in Chinese Elderly and the Influencing Factors of These Trends: 2005–2014," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-17, May.
    11. Patrizio Zanobini & Chiara Lorini & Saverio Caini & Vieri Lastrucci & Maria Masocco & Valentina Minardi & Valentina Possenti & Giovanna Mereu & Rossella Cecconi & Guglielmo Bonaccorsi, 2022. "Health Literacy, Socioeconomic Status and Vaccination Uptake: A Study on Influenza Vaccination in a Population-Based Sample," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-12, June.
    12. Sara Maria Oliveira Pinto & Sílvia Maria Alves Caldeira Berenguer & José Carlos Amado Martins, 2013. "Cancer, Health Literacy, and Happiness: Perspectives from Patients under Chemotherapy," Nursing Research and Practice, Hindawi, vol. 2013, pages 1-8, September.
    13. Melissa MacKay & Andrea Cimino & Samira Yousefinaghani & Jennifer E. McWhirter & Rozita Dara & Andrew Papadopoulos, 2022. "Canadian COVID-19 Crisis Communication on Twitter: Mixed Methods Research Examining Tweets from Government, Politicians, and Public Health for Crisis Communication Guiding Principles and Tweet Engagem," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-12, June.
    14. Jungwon Cho & Seungyeon Kim & Sangyoon Shin & Hyejin Yoo & Gi Hyue Park & Eunha Jeon & Eunsook Lee & Ho-Young Lee & Euni Lee, 2020. "Hospitalized Patients Accessing Information on Prescribed Medications from the Bedside Terminal: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-10, July.
    15. Dai Su & Zhifang Chen & Jingjing Chang & Guangwen Gong & Dandan Guo & Min Tan & Yunfan Zhang & Yanchen Liu & Xinlan Chen & Xinlin Chen & Yingchun Chen, 2020. "Effect of Social Participation on the Physical Functioning and Depression of Empty-Nest Elderly in China: Evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-15, December.
    16. Lorraine Smith-MacDonald & Liana Lentz & David Malloy & Suzette Brémault-Phillips & R. Nicholas Carleton, 2021. "Meat in a Seat: A Grounded Theory Study Exploring Moral Injury in Canadian Public Safety Communicators, Firefighters, and Paramedics," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-18, November.
    17. Kai Zhang & Xuejiao Chen, 2022. "Research on the Influencing Mechanism via Which Security Perception of Personal Information Affects Tourist Happiness: A Moderated Mediation Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-23, November.
    18. Devika Rani Sharma & Smitha Girija & Pratima Merugu, 2022. "Mediating Role of Perceived Health Risk on Customer Experience and Customer Satisfaction: Evidence from the Airline Industry in India During COVID-19," International Journal of Global Business and Competitiveness, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 31-45, December.
    19. Shin KINOSHITA & Masayuki SATO & Takanori IDA, 2022. "Bayesian Probability Revision and Infection Prevention Behavior in Japan : A Quantitative Analysis of the First Wave of COVID-19," Discussion papers e-22-004, Graduate School of Economics , Kyoto University.
    20. Joon Woo Yoo & Junsung Park & Jong Ho Lee & Heejun Park, 2022. "Recovering from the COVID-19 shock: the role of risk perception and perceived effectiveness of protective measures on travel intention during the pandemic," Service Business, Springer;Pan-Pacific Business Association, vol. 16(3), pages 557-580, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:24:p:13386-:d:706221. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.