Satish Melwani|Verity Cleland|Kira Patterson|Rosie Nash
Health literacy status of pregnant women and women with young children in Tasmania
University of Tasmania|University of Tasmania|University of Tasmania|University of Tasmania
literature provides evidence maternal health strongly linked noncommunicable diseases ncds associated risk factors enabling women asset health literacy may help reduce intergenerational impact ncds however little known health literacy pregnant women women young children tasmania globally study aimed identify health literacy status pregnant women women young children 08 years living tasmania describe health literacy status according demographic characteristicsan online crosssectional survey undertaken survey included demographic questions health literacy questionnaire hlq description demographic differences across hlq scales focused effect sizes es standardised differences mean health literacy scores differences found statistically significant p 005 also included194 participants completed survey mean age 353 years 732 married 165 pregnant 93 one children 815 university educated first five hlq scales score range 14 lowest overall score seen scale actively managing health mean 296 sd 054 last four scales score range 15 lowest overall score seen scale navigating health care system mean 375 sd 067 nonpregnant women women children women chronic health conditions nonmarried women experienced health literacy challengeswomen study showed various strengths challenges mean scores varying across nine hlq scales understanding health literacy needs women enable health services codesign solutions interventions capable responding evolving health needs pregnant women women young children approach ensure codesigned solutions engage enduser healthy lifestyle practices solutions sustainable must shift away one size fits approach tailor services respond differing health literacy needs pregnant women women young children support healthy lifestyle practices reduce ncd burden