Hwang Suwon, Kim Hae-Young, Choi Mankyu
Department of Health Policy & Management, College of Public Health Science and Transdisciplinary Major in Learning Health Systems, Graduate School, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, South Korea.
Health Promot Int. 2025 Jul 1;40(4). doi: 10.1093/heapro/daaf124.
Health literacy (HLIT) is critical for effective self-care in managing chronic illnesses and their outcomes, necessitating targeted interventions. However, existing research is limited in size and scope. This study analysed the status and influencing factors of HLIT among chronically ill individuals in South Korea using a population-based national survey from the Korea Health Panel Survey. From March to July 2021, data were collected from 5652 respondents who reported at least one chronic condition. HLIT was assessed using the 16-item European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire adapted for the Korean context. Bivariate and multiple linear regression analyses were performed. The mean HLIT score was 10.48, which is slightly lower than those of the general population of Korea and other countries. Bivariate results indicated that individuals aged 70 years or older, females, those with lower socioeconomic status, those living in rural areas, and those with three or more chronic conditions had the lowest HLIT levels. Multivariate analysis revealed that older age, female sex, unemployment, single status, lower education and income, and a higher number of chronic diseases were associated with lower HLIT levels. Additionally, the most significant challenge facing chronically ill individuals with relatively low HLIT was finding or using information to manage their conditions. These findings suggest that people with chronic illnesses experience heightened HLIT-related challenges, compounded by managing multiple chronic conditions, broader disparities, and social determinants of health. Future interventions should address the specific barriers chronically ill individuals face to promote HLIT and improve health outcomes in this vulnerable population.
健康素养（HLIT）对于慢性病管理及其结果的有效自我护理至关重要，因此需要有针对性的干预措施。然而，现有研究在规模和范围上存在局限性。本研究利用韩国健康面板调查的全国性人口调查，分析了韩国慢性病患者的健康素养状况及其影响因素。2021年3月至7月，收集了5652名报告至少患有一种慢性病的受访者的数据。采用针对韩国背景改编的16项欧洲健康素养调查问卷对健康素养进行评估。进行了双变量和多元线性回归分析。健康素养平均得分为10.48，略低于韩国普通人群和其他国家。双变量结果表明，70岁及以上的个体、女性、社会经济地位较低者、农村地区居民以及患有三种或更多慢性病的个体健康素养水平最低。多变量分析显示，年龄较大、女性、失业、单身、教育程度和收入较低以及慢性病数量较多与健康素养水平较低相关。此外，健康素养相对较低的慢性病患者面临的最重大挑战是寻找或使用信息来管理他们的病情。这些发现表明，慢性病患者面临着与健康素养相关的更大挑战，同时还要应对多种慢性病、更广泛的差异以及健康的社会决定因素。未来的干预措施应解决慢性病患者面临的具体障碍，以促进健康素养并改善这一弱势群体的健康结果。
