Validation of the Short-Form Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLS-SF12) and Its Determinants among People Living in Rural Areas in Vietnam

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Sep 11;16(18):3346. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16183346.

Abstract

Background: Health literacy (HL) is an important factor in improving health inequalities in poor and marginalized groups. Assessing comprehensive HL is critical. In this study, we validated the use of a comprehensive short-form HL survey tool (HLS-SF12) and examined the determinants of HL among people in rural areas. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2019 on 440 people residing in mountainous areas in Vietnam. Health literacy was measured using the HLS-SF12. Personal characteristics were also collected. We analyzed data using confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency analysis, and regression analysis. Results: The questionnaire demonstrated a good construct validity with satisfactory goodness-of-fit indices and item-scale convergent validity. The tool was reliable and homogeneous with Cronbach's alpha = 0.79, with no floor/ceiling effects. People who were married had lower HL (regression coefficient B = -3.12; 95% confidence interval (CI) = -5.69, -0.56; p = 0.017) compared with those who never married. Higher education attainment (B = 3.41 to 10.44; p < 0.001), a better ability to pay for medication (B = 4.17 to 9.89; p < 0.001), and a tendency to view health-related TV/radio more often (B = 5.23 to 6.15; p < 0.001) were associated with higher HL. Conclusions: The HLS-SF12 is a valid survey tool for the evaluation of HL in rural populations. A number of personal characteristics were strongly associated with HL.

Keywords: HLS-SF12; Vietnam; ability to pay for medication; determinant; education; health literacy; health-related TV; mountaineer; rural areas; validation.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Health Literacy / statistics & numerical data*
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Marriage
  • Middle Aged
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Rural Population / statistics & numerical data*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires / statistics & numerical data*
  • Vietnam
  • Young Adult