Validation of the Short-Form Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLS-SF12) and Its Determinants among People Living in Rural Areas in Vietnam

Tuyen Van Duong, Thao T. P. Nguyen, Khue M. Pham, Kien T. Nguyen, Manh H. Giap, Tung D. X. Tran, Chi X. Nguyen, Shwu-Huey Yang and Chien-Tien Su
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Tuyen Van Duong: School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110-31, Taiwan
Thao T. P. Nguyen: Health Management Training Institute, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thua Thien Hue 491-20, Vietnam
Khue M. Pham: Faculty of Public Health, Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hai Phong 042-12, Vietnam
Kien T. Nguyen: Department of Health Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, Behavior and Health Education, Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi 119-10, Vietnam
Manh H. Giap: Emergency Department, Bai Chay Hospital, Quang Ninh 011-21, Vietnam
Tung D. X. Tran: School of Dentistry, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110-31, Taiwan
Chi X. Nguyen: Department of Training and Direction of Healthcare Activities, Thu Duc District Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City 713-11, Vietnam
Shwu-Huey Yang: School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110-31, Taiwan
Chien-Tien Su: School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110-31, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 18, 1-11

Abstract: Background: Health literacy (HL) is an important factor in improving health inequalities in poor and marginalized groups. Assessing comprehensive HL is critical. In this study, we validated the use of a comprehensive short-form HL survey tool (HLS-SF12) and examined the determinants of HL among people in rural areas. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2019 on 440 people residing in mountainous areas in Vietnam. Health literacy was measured using the HLS-SF12. Personal characteristics were also collected. We analyzed data using confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency analysis, and regression analysis. Results: The questionnaire demonstrated a good construct validity with satisfactory goodness-of-fit indices and item-scale convergent validity. The tool was reliable and homogeneous with Cronbach’s alpha = 0.79, with no floor/ceiling effects. People who were married had lower HL (regression coefficient B = −3.12; 95% confidence interval (CI) = −5.69, −0.56; p = 0.017) compared with those who never married. Higher education attainment (B = 3.41 to 10.44; p < 0.001), a better ability to pay for medication (B = 4.17 to 9.89; p < 0.001), and a tendency to view health-related TV/radio more often (B = 5.23 to 6.15; p < 0.001) were associated with higher HL. Conclusions: The HLS-SF12 is a valid survey tool for the evaluation of HL in rural populations. A number of personal characteristics were strongly associated with HL.

Keywords: health literacy; HLS-SF12; validation; determinant; mountaineer; rural areas; education; health-related TV; ability to pay for medication; Vietnam (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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