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Publication
Health literacy and its associated factors among university students
| Name: | Description: | Size: | Format: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TC_29651 | 1.9 MB | Adobe PDF |
Authors
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Introdução
A literacia em saúde mede a capacidade dos indivíduos de adquirir e entender conceitos
básicos de saúde. Espera-se que os estudantes universitários, devido à sua alta
escolaridade, apresentem altos níveis de literacia em saúde, embora nenhum estudo
anterior tenha identificado a prevalência e seus fatores associados em estudantes
universitários de Portugal.
Objetivos
O objetivo deste estudo é quantificar o nível de literacia em saúde entre estudantes
universitários de Ciências da Saúde avaliar os seus fatores associados.
Metodologia
Um estudo observacional transversal foi realizado na Universidade Fernando Pessoa.
Os participantes foram alunos do primeiro ano de um dos sete ciclos de estudos em
ciências da saúde em 2019-2020, que frequentavam o ensino regular e que falavam e
compreendiam a língua portuguesa. A amostra final incluiu 165 participantes (125
mulheres, 40 homens, idade média de 20 anos). Foi alcançada uma proporção de
participação (entre os elegíveis) de 84%.
Para a recolha dos dados, foi desenvolvido um questionário estruturado de
autopreenchimento, incluindo o METER (Medical Term Recognition Test) para avaliar
a literacia em saúde, previamente validada na população adulta portuguesa, e perguntas
sobre características sociodemográficas, estilos de vida e índice de massa corporal
(IMC) auto-reportado. Odds ratio (OR) e os respetivos intervalos de confiança a 95%
(IC) foram calculados por modelos de regressão logística, após ajuste por sexo, idade e
IMC.
Resultados
A pontuação mediana de literacia em saúde foi de 35,0, variando de 0 a 39 (intervalo
possível de 0 a 40). A prevalência de literacia em saúde baixa foi de 9,7% e 52,1%
apresentaram literacia em saúde funcional em saúde (pontuação 35-40).
Homens, estudantes com mais de 20 anos, pais com menos escolaridade, estudantes
portugueses, não trabalhadores, não fumantes, que assistem mais de duas horas por dia de TV e que se autodeclararam com sobrepeso ou obesidade reportaram pontuações
mais elevadas em literacia em saúde, mas encontraram-se diferenças apenas para idade
da participante, escolaridade da mãe e o IMC auto-reportado.
Em análise multivariada, apenas excesso de peso / obesidade foram significativamente
associados a um grau funcional de literacia em saúde (OR = 3,17, IC 95%: 1,07-9,41).
Conclusões
Apenas uma fração limitada dos estudantes universitários de ciências da saúde
apresentou literacia em saúde funcional (52%). O estado nutricional auto-reportado foi
o único fator significativamente associado à literacia em saúde; aqueles classificados
como com excesso de peso ou obesidade tiveram 3 vezes mais probabilidade de ter um
grau funcional de literacia em saúde.
Background Health literacy measures the ability of individuals to acquire and understand basic health concepts. University students, given their high education, are expected to show high levels of literacy in health, although no previous studies have identified the prevalence and its associated factors in University students from Portugal. Objectives The aim of this study is to quantify the level of health literacy among University students of Health Sciences and to study its associated factors. Methodology A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the University Fernando Pessoa. Participants were 1st year students of one of the seven study cycles in Health Sciences in 2019-2020, attending to regular education, and speaking and understanding the Portuguese language. The final sample included 165 participants (125 women, 40 men, mean age of 20 years). A participation (among the eligible) of 84% was achieved. For data collection, a structured self-completed questionnaire was developed including the METER (Medical Term Recognition Test) to assess health literacy, previously validated in the Portuguese adult population, and questions on sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyles and self-reported Body Mass Index (BMI). Odds ratio (OR) and the respective 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by logistic regression models, after adjustment for sex, age and BMI. Results The median health literacy score was 35.0, varying from 0 to 39 (possible range 0-40). The prevalence of low health literacy was 9.7%, and 52.1% had a functional health literacy (scoring 35-40). Men, students older than 20 years old, those with less educated parents, students who are Portuguese, non-workers, non-smokers, who watch more than 2 hours a day of TV, and who self-reported themselves as overweight or obese showed higher median health literacy scores, but significant differences were only reported for participant’s age, mother’s education and self-reported BMI status. In multivariate analysis, only overweight/obesity was significantly associated with a functional health literacy degree (OR=3.17, 95%CI: 1.07-9.41). Conclusions Only a limited fraction of University students of Health Sciences showed a functional health literacy (52%). Self-reported nutritional status was the only factor significantly associated with health literacy; those classified as having overweight or obesity were 3 times more likely to have a functional health literacy degree.
Background Health literacy measures the ability of individuals to acquire and understand basic health concepts. University students, given their high education, are expected to show high levels of literacy in health, although no previous studies have identified the prevalence and its associated factors in University students from Portugal. Objectives The aim of this study is to quantify the level of health literacy among University students of Health Sciences and to study its associated factors. Methodology A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the University Fernando Pessoa. Participants were 1st year students of one of the seven study cycles in Health Sciences in 2019-2020, attending to regular education, and speaking and understanding the Portuguese language. The final sample included 165 participants (125 women, 40 men, mean age of 20 years). A participation (among the eligible) of 84% was achieved. For data collection, a structured self-completed questionnaire was developed including the METER (Medical Term Recognition Test) to assess health literacy, previously validated in the Portuguese adult population, and questions on sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyles and self-reported Body Mass Index (BMI). Odds ratio (OR) and the respective 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by logistic regression models, after adjustment for sex, age and BMI. Results The median health literacy score was 35.0, varying from 0 to 39 (possible range 0-40). The prevalence of low health literacy was 9.7%, and 52.1% had a functional health literacy (scoring 35-40). Men, students older than 20 years old, those with less educated parents, students who are Portuguese, non-workers, non-smokers, who watch more than 2 hours a day of TV, and who self-reported themselves as overweight or obese showed higher median health literacy scores, but significant differences were only reported for participant’s age, mother’s education and self-reported BMI status. In multivariate analysis, only overweight/obesity was significantly associated with a functional health literacy degree (OR=3.17, 95%CI: 1.07-9.41). Conclusions Only a limited fraction of University students of Health Sciences showed a functional health literacy (52%). Self-reported nutritional status was the only factor significantly associated with health literacy; those classified as having overweight or obesity were 3 times more likely to have a functional health literacy degree.
Description
Trabalho Complementar apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Licenciada em Ciências da Nutrição
Keywords
Literacia em saúde Estudantes universitários Fatores epidemiológicos Índice de massa corporal Health literacy University students Epidemiologic factors Body mass index