Inadequate functional health literacy and its associated gender inequality among an ethnic population: A social survey

Background and Objective: Our objective was to determine the frequency of inadequate functional health literacy (FHL) among adult Kurd population, and infer the contribution index of sociodemographic factors for FHL across gender. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, multistage cluster sampling was employed to recruit ۱۰۰۰ people older than ۱۸ years from ۳۸ urban and ۱۴ rural healthcare centers in Sanandaj, Iran. Data on FHL was collected from May to July ۲۰۱۹, through face-to-face interviews by using the validated Persian version of the Test of functional health literacy in adults (TOFHLA). The concentration index method was used to measure inequality in FHL. Results: Overall, ۸۶۹ respondents (response rate: ۸۶.۹%) with a mean age of ۳۳.۶۸ (±۱۳.۰) completed the TOFHLA questionnaire. The average TOFHLA score was ۵۱.۹, which was ۵۲.۲ (±۰.۴۶) among males and ۵۰.۷ (±۰.۴۰) among females, p<۰.۰۰۱. Among females, the place of residence, monthly income, age, education level, and being head of the household contributed to ۴۳%, ۳۲%, ۱۳%, ۱۱.۵%,  and ۱۱% of FHL inequality, respectively. While, among males, the place of residence (۴۵.۲%), household size (۱۵.۱%), and monthly income (۱۳.۵%) contributed most to inequality in FHL.Conclusion:  FHL has disparities by gender and location. Males and rural people are at particular risk for poor FHL. For ease and better resolution of poor FHL, each population, gender, and area type should be considered as a stand-alone, which may help in identifying tailored interventions for males and females with low levels of FHL.

کلیدواژه ها:

Health Literacy ، health disparity ، Inequality ، Gender