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Health Literacy, Socio-Economic Determinants, and Healthy Behaviours: Results from a Large Representative Sample of Tuscany Region, Italy

Author

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  • Patrizio Zanobini

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Chiara Lorini

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Vieri Lastrucci

    (Epidemiology Unit, Meyer Children’s University Hospital, 50139 Florence, Italy)

  • Valentina Minardi

    (Centro Nazionale per la Prevenzione delle Malattie e la Promozione della Salute, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy)

  • Valentina Possenti

    (Centro Nazionale per la Prevenzione delle Malattie e la Promozione della Salute, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy)

  • Maria Masocco

    (Centro Nazionale per la Prevenzione delle Malattie e la Promozione della Salute, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy)

  • Giorgio Garofalo

    (Department of Prevention, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (AUSL) Toscana Centro, 50122 Florence, Italy)

  • Giovanna Mereu

    (Department of Prevention, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (AUSL) Toscana Centro, 50122 Florence, Italy)

  • Guglielmo Bonaccorsi

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy)

Abstract

Background: Health Literacy (HL) is one of the main determinants of health and is crucial for the prevention of noncommunicable diseases, by influencing key health-related behaviours. The aim of the present study was to assess the role of HL and sociodemographic factors in predicting the adoption of two healthy behaviours—physical activity and fruits and vegetables consumption. Methods: This study was conducted on the Tuscan population subsample of the Italian Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System in 2017–2018. HL was assessed using the Italian version of the six-item European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q6). Results: About 40% of the 7157 interviewees reported an inadequate or problematic HL level. Female sex, poor financial status, foreign nationality, and low education were associated with a problematic HL level, while an inadequate HL level was associated with being 50–69 years old, low education level, foreign nationality, poor financial status and unemployment or inactive status. Inadequate HL level was a strong predictor of both eating less than three portions of fruits/vegetables per day and not engaging in sufficient PA during leisure times. Conclusions: Our findings showed that an inadequate level of HL could negatively affect physical activity and diet, independently from the other sociodemographic conditions, confirming the role of HL as a relevant social determinant of health.

Suggested Citation

  • Patrizio Zanobini & Chiara Lorini & Vieri Lastrucci & Valentina Minardi & Valentina Possenti & Maria Masocco & Giorgio Garofalo & Giovanna Mereu & Guglielmo Bonaccorsi, 2021. "Health Literacy, Socio-Economic Determinants, and Healthy Behaviours: Results from a Large Representative Sample of Tuscany Region, Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-11, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:23:p:12432-:d:688347
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Virginia Vettori & Chiara Lorini & Heather D. Gibbs & Francesco Sofi & Vieri Lastrucci & Gino Sartor & Ilaria Fulvi & Duccio Giorgetti & Giuseppe Cavallo & Guglielmo Bonaccorsi, 2021. "The Nutrition Literacy Assessment Instrument for Italian Subjects, NLit-IT: Exploring Validity and Reliability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-19, March.
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    4. David W. Baker & Julie A. Gazmararian & Joseph Sudano & Marian Patterson, 2000. "The Association Between Age and Health Literacy Among Elderly Persons," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 55(6), pages 368-374.
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    1. Vieri Lastrucci & Chiara Lorini & Marco Del Riccio & Eleonora Gori & Fabrizio Chiesi & Andrea Moscadelli & Beatrice Zanella & Sara Boccalini & Angela Bechini & Francesco Puggelli & Renzo Berti & Paolo, 2021. "The Role of Health Literacy in COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors and Infection Risk Perception: Evidence from a Population-Based Sample of Essential Frontline Workers during the Lockdown in the Province o," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Patrizio Zanobini & Chiara Lorini & Saverio Caini & Vieri Lastrucci & Maria Masocco & Valentina Minardi & Valentina Possenti & Giovanna Mereu & Rossella Cecconi & Guglielmo Bonaccorsi, 2022. "Health Literacy, Socioeconomic Status and Vaccination Uptake: A Study on Influenza Vaccination in a Population-Based Sample," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-12, June.
    3. Nida Buawangpong & Wachiranun Sirikul & Chanya Anukhro & Mathuramat Seesen & Aroon La-up & Penprapa Siviroj, 2022. "Health Information Sources Influencing Health Literacy in Different Social Contexts across Age Groups in Northern Thailand Citizens," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-19, May.

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