Nicolas Andreou|Christiana Nicolaou|Evridiki Papastavrou|Nicos Middleton
Social gradient in health literacy among primary healthcare users in Cyprus
Cyprus University of Technology|Cyprus University of Technology|Cyprus University of Technology|Cyprus University of Technology|Cyprus Institute
abstract background health literacy hl critical determinant health citizens control health european health literary consortium developed conceptual model related hlseuq47 tool four cognitive three health domains showed high levels inadequate hl eight european countries methods methodological descriptive study evaluated metric properties tool new setting assessed hl among greekcypriot population differences hl social position health behaviours assessed results sample 300 adults general hospital participated 6535 urban vs rural 153 divorcedwidowed 33 tertiary education expected according census 53 rated health less good 456 current past smokers mean bmi 268 sd 52 cronbachs alpha coefficient internal consistency ampgt080 cognitive access understand appraise apply health subscales healthcare prevention health promotion three factor structure explaining 521 variance identified exploratory factor analysis access information prevention promotionrelated literacy userprovider interaction half participants 507 reported inadequate problematic hl statistically lower hl older agegroups difference urban rural status clear social gradient observed education income subjective social position 10step ladder regular alcohol consumption low physical exercise related low hl smoking bmi conclusions hlseuq47 showed good metric properties new language setting proportion population inadequate problematic hl appears high consistent findings european populations observed social gradient hl supports criterion knowngroup validity tool well highlights important aspect health inequality key messages support hlseuq47 valid reliable measure health literacy high proportion cypriot population problematic health literacy clear social gradient