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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 of Prato (Tuscany, Italy)

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  • Vieri Lastrucci

    (Epidemiology Unit, Meyer Children’s University Hospital, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini 24, 50139 Florence, Italy
    Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Chiara Lorini

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Marco Del Riccio

    (Medical Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Eleonora Gori

    (Medical Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Fabrizio Chiesi

    (Medical Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Andrea Moscadelli

    (Medical Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Beatrice Zanella

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Sara Boccalini

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Angela Bechini

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Francesco Puggelli

    (Management Department, Meyer Children’s University Hospital, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini 24, 50139 Florence, Italy)

  • Renzo Berti

    (Department of Prevention, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Toscana Centro, Via Lavarone 3/5, 59100 Prato, Italy)

  • Paolo Bonanni

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Guglielmo Bonaccorsi

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

Abstract

Background: The effectiveness of pandemic control measures requires a broad understanding from the population. This study aimed to evaluate the role played by health literacy (HL) in influencing the adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures and risk perception of essential frontline workers during the lockdown period. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a population-based sample of frontline workers from Prato Province (Italy). Data on knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 preventive measures and risk perception were collected. HL was measured with the HLS-EU-Q6 tool. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed. Results: A total of 751 people participated in this study, and 56% of the sample showed a sufficient level of HL. In the multivariate models, HL resulted in being positively correlated with both knowledge (beta 0.32 for sufficient HL, 0.11 for problematic HL) and attitudes (beta 0.33 for sufficient HL, 0.17 for problematic HL) towards the importance of COVID-19 preventive measures. The HL level was not associated with the adoption of preventive behaviors and COVID-19 risk perception. Conclusions: HL may play a key role in maintaining a high adherence to infection prevention behaviors and may be a factor to take into account in the implementation of public health interventions in pandemic times.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:24:p:13386-:d:706221
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Joanna Gaitens & Marian Condon & Eseosa Fernandes & Melissa McDiarmid, 2021. "COVID-19 and Essential Workers: A Narrative Review of Health Outcomes and Moral Injury," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-18, February.
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    1. Guglielmo Bonaccorsi & Veronica Gallinoro & Andrea Guida & Chiara Morittu & Valerio Ferro Allodola & Vieri Lastrucci & Patrizio Zanobini & Orkan Okan & Kevin Dadaczynski & Chiara Lorini, 2023. "Digital Health Literacy and Information-Seeking in the Era of COVID-19: Gender Differences Emerged from a Florentine University Experience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-12, January.
    2. Vieri Lastrucci & Chiara Lorini & Lorenzo Stacchini & Enrica Stancanelli & Andrea Guida & Alessio Radi & Chiara Morittu & Salvatore Zimmitti & Giorgia Alderotti & Marco Del Riccio & Angela Bechini & S, 2022. "Determinants of Actual COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in a Cohort of Essential Workers: An Area-Based Longitudinal Study in the Province of Prato, Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-12, October.
    3. Caitlin Bosch & Edwig Hauwanga & Beauty E. Omoruyi & Benjamin I. Okeleye & Vincent I. Okudoh & Yapo G. Aboua, 2022. "Effects of Population Knowledge, Perceptions, Attitudes, and Practices on COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control in NUST," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-12, May.
    4. Chiara Lorini & Vieri Lastrucci & Beatrice Zanella & Eleonora Gori & Fabrizio Chiesi & Angela Bechini & Sara Boccalini & Marco Del Riccio & Andrea Moscadelli & Francesco Puggelli & Renzo Berti & Paolo, 2022. "Predictors of Influenza Vaccination Uptake and the Role of Health Literacy among Health and Social Care Volunteers in the Province of Prato (Italy)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-13, May.
    5. 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.
    6. Ngqabutho Moyo & Anita D. Bhappu & Moment Bhebhe & Farai Ncube, 2022. "Perceived Risk of COVID-19 and Employee Decision-Making: How Psychological Distress during the Pandemic Increases Negative Performance Outcomes among Healthcare Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-16, June.
    7. Aldo Rosano & Chiara Lorini & Brigid Unim & Robert Griebler & Chiara Cadeddu & Luca Regazzi & Daniela Galeone & Luigi Palmieri, 2022. "Coronavirus-Related Health Literacy: A Cross-Sectional Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-13, March.
    8. Mariusz Duplaga, 2022. "The Roles of Health and e-Health Literacy, Conspiracy Beliefs and Political Sympathy in the Adherence to Preventive Measures Recommended during the Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-13, July.

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