Health literacy of aging community in the northeastern Iran

Abstract

Health literacy consists of cognitive and social skills, which determine the motivation and ability of individuals to access, understand and use information in a way that maintains and improves their health.1 Also, health literacy includes a set of reading, listening, analyzing, decision-making skills and ability to apply these skills in health situations that necessarily does not relate to years of education or the general ability to read.2 Although it is still unclear to what extent health literacy affects health outcomes, many reasons indicate that many unpleasant health consequences are the results of inadequate literacy.3 Health literacy is now introduced as a global issue and debate.4,5 Low levels of health literacy are associated with poorer health outcomes and less use of health services.6 In recent years, many studies have reported on the relationship between health literacy and health outcomes, including health status, chronic disease and hospitalization.7 The development of primary health cares, improvement in economic and social conditions, and the emergence of new technologies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases have led to increase in the population of people aged 60 and older, which are called elderly, according to the WHO’s definition.8 Based on census of the Statistical Centre of Iran and studies performed, the population aged over 60 years in Iran in 2021 is estimated to be more than 10% of all population.9 This trend shows that studies should focus on how to deliver eldercare services, also recognizing the needs and health indicators of this age group.10 This study was performed to measure the health literacy index in the elderly population in the northeastern Iran.