Health literacy in Iran: findings from a national study - Payesh (Health Monitor)
Volume 15, Issue 1 (January-February 2016)                   Payesh 2016, 15(1): 95-102 | Back to browse issues page

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1- Health Metrics Research Center, Iranian Institute for Health Sciences Research, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
2- Health Education & Promotion office, Health Departments, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
Abstract:   (5815 Views)
Objective (s): A population-base study was conducted to measure health literacy among Iranian adult aged 18-65.
Methods: The Health Literacy for Iranian Adults (HELIA) was used to assess health literacy. The questionnaire contained 33 items on access to health information, reading, understanding, appraisal, and behavioral intention. Each item was rated on a 5-point scale giving a total score ranging from 0 (the worse) to 100 (the best).
Results: In all 20571 individuals entered into the study. The mean age of participant was 34.92 (SD = 11.80) and 51% were female. The mean year education of participants was 11.96 (SD = 3.79). Overall the mean score for health literacy was 68.32 (SD = 15.16) and that 44% of participants had limited health literacy.
Conclusion: In general the findings suggest that health literacy among Iranian adults was relatively acceptable. However, about half of participants had limited health literacy and this was more evident among vulnerable groups. Indeed planning and implementing educational interventions are recommended to improve health literacy among Iranian adults.
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type of study: Descriptive |
Accepted: 2015/12/13 | ePublished ahead of print: 2016/01/18 | Published: 2016/01/15

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