Elke de Buhr|Antje Tannen
Parental health literacy and health knowledge, behaviours and outcomes in children: a cross-sectional survey
Tulane University|Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin|Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin|Freie Universität Berlin|Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin|Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin|Freie Universität Berlin
health literacy hl closely associated leading health indicators engaging healthy behaviours experiencing healthy social environment parents represent critical subgroup among adult population since responsible health also health children previous research suggests parents low hl less likely meet preventive health care needs children gaps available information data available yet german contextin preparation implementation study crosssectional survey conducted 28 elementary secondary schools germany parent questionnaire completed 4217 parents included short form european health literacy survey questionnaire hlseuq16 child questionnaire examined childrens health knowledge behaviours outcomes children 6 10 years parent reported behalf children n 1518 students 11 years older completed selfadministered questionnaire n 2776 bivariate multivariate analyses carried spearmans rho correlations assess relationships household characteristics parental hl health behaviour outcomes childrenamong participating parents 458 showed problematic inadequate hl major determinants high parental hl high socioeconomic status ses r 088 95 ci 052 124 living west germany r 064 95 ci 032 096 older parental age r 057 95 ci 024 090 multivariate model ses remained significant high parental hl associated positive health behaviours children including healthier nutrition regular tooth brushing physical activity relationships parental hl smoking alcohol sexual activity among children childrens weight significantthe results confirm relationship low parental hl ses child health behaviours likely negatively impact health wellbeing including less healthy nutrition less exercise strengthening health knowledge competencies parents may contribute improved child outcomes particularly areas nutrition exercise dental health