Older people's health literacy on COVID-related health behaviours during the pandemic - Results from the SWEOLD 2021 study in Sweden.

Abstract

Background: Health literacy refers to an individual's ability to access, understand, and use information to promote and maintain good health. The importance of a health-literate population has been highlighted during COVID-19 when health authorities pleaded with the public to be responsible and adhere to rules and recommendations. This study investigates the relationship between health literacy levels and older people's understanding of and adherence to COVID-19 recommendations.

Methods: The data for this study were obtained from the 2021 Swedish Panel Study of Living Conditions of the Oldest Old (SWEOLD), which exclusively includes individuals aged ⩾77 years. Health literacy was assessed utilising the Communicative and Critical Health Literacy (C&CHL) scale. Using logistic regression, we evaluated the association between C&CHL and vaccination coverage, as well as the comprehension of and adherence to health recommendations and the avoidance of healthcare services due to apprehension related to COVID-19.

Results: The findings showed that 90% of the study population understood the COVID-19 guidelines, and 63% adhered to them to a large extent. Further, 98% got vaccinated. Although limited C&CHL was statistically associated with a lower ability to understand information (odds ratio: 2.20), it was not related to following recommendations, being vaccinated, or refraining from health or dental care.

Conclusions: Regardless of individual health literacy level, most older people understood and followed COVID-19 recommendations, and nearly everyone was vaccinated. The findings indicate that the information about Swedish COVID-19 recommendations and vaccination information was tailored to meet the needs of different health literacy levels.