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Health Literacy in Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Farah Nawabi

    (Institute of Health Economics and Clinical Epidemiology, University Hospital Cologne (AöR), 50935 Cologne, Germany)

  • Franziska Krebs

    (Institute of Health Economics and Clinical Epidemiology, University Hospital Cologne (AöR), 50935 Cologne, Germany)

  • Vera Vennedey

    (Institute of Health Economics and Clinical Epidemiology, University Hospital Cologne (AöR), 50935 Cologne, Germany)

  • Arim Shukri

    (Institute of Health Economics and Clinical Epidemiology, University Hospital Cologne (AöR), 50935 Cologne, Germany)

  • Laura Lorenz

    (Institute of Health Economics and Clinical Epidemiology, University Hospital Cologne (AöR), 50935 Cologne, Germany)

  • Stephanie Stock

    (Institute of Health Economics and Clinical Epidemiology, University Hospital Cologne (AöR), 50935 Cologne, Germany)

Abstract

Health literacy plays a crucial role during pregnancy, as the mother’s health behavior influences both her own health and that of her child. To the authors’ best knowledge, no comprehensive overview on evidence of the health literacy of pregnant women and its impact on health outcomes during pregnancy exists. Therefore, this review aims to assess health literacy levels in pregnant women, whether health literacy is associated with outcomes during pregnancy and whether effective interventions exist to improve the health literacy of pregnant women. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and EBSCO, resulting in 14 studies. The results show mixed levels of health literacy in pregnant women. Limited health literacy is associated with unhealthy behaviors during pregnancy. Mixed health literacy levels can be attributed to the recruitment site, the number of participants and the measurement tool used. Quality assessment reveals that the quality of the included studies is moderate to good. The review revealed that randomized controlled trials and interventions to improve health literacy in pregnant women are rare or do not exist. This is crucial in the light of the mixed health literacy levels found among pregnant women. Healthcare providers play a key role in this context, as pregnant women with limited health literacy rely on them as sources of health information.

Suggested Citation

  • Farah Nawabi & Franziska Krebs & Vera Vennedey & Arim Shukri & Laura Lorenz & Stephanie Stock, 2021. "Health Literacy in Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-18, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:7:p:3847-:d:531177
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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.
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    Cited by:

    1. Maiken Meldgaard & Rikke Damkjær Maimburg & Maiken Fabricius Damm & Anna Aaby & Anna Peeters & Helle Terkildsen Maindal, 2022. "The Health Literacy in Pregnancy (HeLP) Program Study Protocol: Development of an Antenatal Care Intervention Using the Ophelia Process," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-13, April.
    2. Julia von Sommoggy & Eva-Maria Grepmeier & Janina Curbach, 2022. "Health Literacy-Sensitive Counselling on Early Childhood Allergy Prevention: Results of a Qualitative Study on German Midwives’ Perspectives," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-16, March.
    3. Farah Nawabi & Franziska Krebs & Laura Lorenz & Arim Shukri & Adrienne Alayli & Stephanie Stock, 2022. "Health Literacy among Pregnant Women in a Lifestyle Intervention Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-10, May.
    4. Trine Damsted Rasmussen & Helle Johnsen & Signe Smith Jervelund & Ulla Christensen & Anne-Marie Nybo Andersen & Sarah Fredsted Villadsen, 2021. "Implementation, Mechanisms and Context of the MAMAACT Intervention to Reduce Ethnic and Social Disparity in Stillbirth and Infant Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-16, August.

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