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Health Literacy and Active Transport in Austria: Results from a Rural Setting

Author

Listed:
  • Kathrin Hofer-Fischanger

    (Institute of Health and Tourism Management, FH JOANNEUM University of Applied Sciences, Bad Gleichenberg 8344, Austria)

  • Bianca Fuchs-Neuhold

    (Institute of Health and Tourism Management, FH JOANNEUM University of Applied Sciences, Bad Gleichenberg 8344, Austria)

  • Alexander Müller

    (Institute of Sports Science, University of Graz, Graz 8010, Austria
    Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz 8036, Austria)

  • Gerlinde Grasser

    (Institute of Health and Tourism Management, FH JOANNEUM University of Applied Sciences, Bad Gleichenberg 8344, Austria)

  • Mireille N.M. van Poppel

    (Institute of Sports Science, University of Graz, Graz 8010, Austria)

Abstract

Health literacy (HL) has been determined for the general population and for subgroups, though the relationship between HL and active transport in rural areas was not explored. The aim of our study is to investigate HL among citizens in an Austrian rural region and to explore the associations between HL and active transport. This cross-sectional telephone survey included 288 adults (171 women) with a mean age of 57.8 (SD 0.9). HL was assessed using the HLS-EU-Q16 questionnaire. Active transport was measured as the minutes per week spent on walking or cycling from A to B. After descriptive analysis, the association between HL and active transport was assessed using linear regression models. The mean HL score for all participants was 37.1 (SD 7.7). Among all subjects, 6.9% showed inadequate HL, 25.7% problematic HL, 38.9% sufficient HL, and 28.5% excellent HL. HL was significantly higher among citizens with high education ( p = 0.04) and training/employment in healthcare ( p = 0.001). Active transport was not associated with HL ( p = 0.281). Active transport in rural areas might be influenced by other predictors like distance to work, street connectivity, and accessible facilities for walking and biking. This needs to be explored further for rural areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Kathrin Hofer-Fischanger & Bianca Fuchs-Neuhold & Alexander Müller & Gerlinde Grasser & Mireille N.M. van Poppel, 2020. "Health Literacy and Active Transport in Austria: Results from a Rural Setting," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-11, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:4:p:1404-:d:323525
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nutbeam, Don, 2008. "The evolving concept of health literacy," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(12), pages 2072-2078, December.
    2. Anja Mizdrak & Tony Blakely & Christine L Cleghorn & Linda J Cobiac, 2019. "Potential of active transport to improve health, reduce healthcare costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions: A modelling study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(7), pages 1-17, July.
    3. Pucher, J. & Buehler, R. & Bassett, D.R. & Dannenberg, A.L., 2010. "Walking and cycling to health: A comparative analysis of city, state, and international data," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(10), pages 1986-1992.
    4. Cerin, Ester & Leslie, Eva & Owen, Neville, 2009. "Explaining socio-economic status differences in walking for transport: An ecological analysis of individual, social and environmental factors," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(6), pages 1013-1020, March.
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    2. Tetine Sentell & Sandra Vamos & Orkan Okan, 2020. "Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Health Literacy Research Around the World: More Important Than Ever in a Time of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-13, April.

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