Health literacy in individuals with knee pain—a mixed methods study

Background Low health literacy is associated with worse pain and poorer self-management. This study (1) examined the level of health literacy and associations with lifestyle habits, health status, chronic pain, and radiographic knee osteoarthritis; and (2) explored experiences illuminating health li...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMC public health 2023-08, Vol.23 (1), p.1-1656, Article 1656
Main Authors: Sylwander, Charlotte, Wahl, Astrid Klopstad, Andersson, Maria L.E, Haglund, Emma, Larsson, Ingrid
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arthritis
Care and treatment
Causes of
Chronic pain
Content analysis
Data collection
Decision making
Diagnosis
Disease prevention
Education
Evaluation
Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi
Habits
Health aspects
Health care
Health education
Health literacy
Health promotion
Health Sciences
Hälsovetenskap
Interviews
Knee
Knee osteoarthritis
Knee pain
Lifestyles
Literacy
Medical and Health Sciences
Medicin och hälsovetenskap
Mixed methods research
Mixed methods study
Osteoarthritis
Overweight
Pain
Patient perspective
Public health
Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology
Qualitative analysis
Quality of life
Quantitative psychology
Questionnaires
R&D
Regression analysis
Research & development
Searching
Sociodemographics
Womens health
Citations: Items that this one cites
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Summary:Background Low health literacy is associated with worse pain and poorer self-management. This study (1) examined the level of health literacy and associations with lifestyle habits, health status, chronic pain, and radiographic knee osteoarthritis; and (2) explored experiences illuminating health literacy among individuals with knee pain. Methods A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was used, including 221 individuals. Health literacy was assessed by HLS-EU-Q16 and eHEALS. The questionnaire included questions on lifestyle habits, health status, and pain distribution. Radiographic knee osteoarthritis was assessed with x-rays. Associations were analysed using logistic regression analyses. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted (n = 19) and analysed with qualitative content analysis. Results The result showed that 71% reported sufficient health literacy. Higher education, healthy lifestyle habits, better general health, and absence of widespread pain were associated with sufficient health literacy. Experiences regarding health literacy influencing the decision-making process toward a decision on action comprised: (1) searching for information actively or passively; (2) processing of the information included being informed, critical, and interpretive; and (3) taking a stand on the information based on trustfulness and motivation. Conclusion Seven out of 10 reported sufficient health literacy. Despite this, unhealthy lifestyles were common, suggesting that having sufficient HL is not enough for a behavioural change and the decision-making process, including different phases such as searching, processing, and taking a stand on health information is important to consider. More research on health literacy is needed to gain knowledge of how best to develop health promotion in individuals with knee pain. Keywords: Health literacy, Health promotion, Knee pain, Chronic pain, Knee osteoarthritis, Patient perspective, Mixed methods study
ISSN:1471-2458
1471-2458
DOI:10.1186/s12889-023-16585-9