Improving Health Literacy: Analysis of the Relationship between Residents’ Usage of Information Channels and Health Literacy in Shanghai, China

Ya Gao, Chen Chen, Hong Hui, Mingyue Chen, Ning Chen, Hong Chen, Weiming Zeng, Yan Wei, Zhaoxin Wang and Jianwei Shi
Additional contact information
Ya Gao: School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
Chen Chen: Shanghai Jing’an District Jiangning Road Community Health Service Centre, Shanghai 200041, China
Hong Hui: Shanghai Bao Shan District Gucun Town Community Health Service Centre, Shanghai 201906, China
Mingyue Chen: School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
Ning Chen: School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
Hong Chen: School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
Weiming Zeng: School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
Yan Wei: Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment (National Health Commission), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
Zhaoxin Wang: School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
Jianwei Shi: School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 10, 1-11

Abstract: Background: This study aimed to examine the relationship between residents’ health literacy (HL) and their use of and trust in information channels. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional health survey utilizing a cluster sampling design was conducted in January 2022. The sample consisted of 1067 residents in Shanghai, China. Those who correctly answered over 80% of the questions were regarded as qualified. The differences in residents’ HL and the dimensions of knowledge HL, lifestyle HL, and skills HL were analyzed based on their use of and trust in traditional media, the internet, and offline activities. Logistic regression was conducted to examine the effects of the usage of these channels on all four types of HL. Results: A total of 27.65% of participants were qualified for HL. The use of traditional media (OR = 1.405, p < 0.05) and engagement in offline activities (OR = 1.951, p < 0.05) were significantly related to HL. Disbelief in traditional media was related to being qualified in knowledge HL (OR = 1.262; p < 0.05), whereas disbelief in offline activities had an adverse effect on knowledge HL and skills HL (OR = 0.700, 0.807; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Effort should be made to improve the efficiency of offline health education, and ensure the reliability and quality of health-related information from mass media and the internet to improve residents’ HL.

Keywords: health literacy; information channels; health communication; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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