Health literacy assessment in developing countries: a case study in Zambia

• DOI: 10.1093/heapro/dav108
• Publication Date: 2015-12-11T04:35:39Z
• Authors: Sarah J. Schrauben; Douglas J. Wiebe
• Keywords: Health Literacy; Sample (material)

Education and literacy are key determinants of health but do not necessarily ensure (HL). The Institute Medicine's (IOM) definition HL is widely accepted, there no consensus over its constituent parts. Developing a practical measure priority, challenging. We aimed to derive in data from the Demographic Health Surveys (DHS) Program administered by United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which includes items representing domains as defined IOM. accessed DHS conducted Zambia 2007. applied factor analysis methods eight survey questions that corresponded elements IOM definition. derived single indicator evaluated reliability validity. dichotomous demonstrated (Cronbach's α = 0.68), good content validity, importantly was composed described including capacity obtain, interpret understand information, make appropriate decisions. Only 46.5% males 24.5% females had high literacy. varied considerably across other subgroups. This first study robust following large national sample. By applying evaluating this method future studies, researchers can use approach datasets additional countries, ultimately test how relates outcomes.