Health Literacy Studies Conducted in Australia: A Scoping Review

Fahad Riaz Choudhry, Long Chiau Ming, Khadeeja Munawar, Syed Tabish R. Zaidi, Rahul P. Patel, Tahir Mehmood Khan and Shandell Elmer
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Fahad Riaz Choudhry: National Institute of Psychology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Long Chiau Ming: Pharmacy, School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7005, Australia
Khadeeja Munawar: Department of Psychology, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Monash University, Sunway City 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
Syed Tabish R. Zaidi: School of Healthcare, University of Leeds, Leeds LS29JT, UK
Rahul P. Patel: Faculty of Pharmacy, Quest International University Perak, Ipoh 30250, Perak, Malaysia
Tahir Mehmood Khan: Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore 54700, Pakistan
Shandell Elmer: School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston 7250, Australia

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 7, 1-32

Abstract: Health literacy (HL) is an essential component of various literacies mentioned in the field of health and education, including cultural, technological, media and scientific literacies. It is important for motivating higher consumer engagement. We aimed to review previous studies of HL in Australia to inform future studies, extend current knowledge and further enhance HL. Using search strings, a systematic search of four databases (i.e., MEDLINE; Embase; CINAHL and Eric) was carried out. A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) based search strategy led to identification of a total of N = 9696 records, that were further screened for inclusion in the review. The review findings were categorized into three major themes: (1) HL and health numeracy; (2) contrast of: knowledge deficiency, knowledge gained, problems of current health care system and (3) HL measurement methods and its domains. The findings from this scoping review show a dearth of measurement tools with sound psychometric properties for assessing HL. The findings also reveal low levels of HL in consumers which is in turn affecting health-related behaviors, utilization of health services and navigation of the health system. More recent developments have tried to integrate vital aspects, including introduction of applications to increase HL and exploring HL in Aboriginal communities.

Keywords: health literacy measurement; health knowledge; health numeracy; health-related literacy; consumer health information (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 (5)

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