Validation of the Spanish version of the Health Literacy Survey (HLS19-Q12) in secondary care specialty consultations

• Published in: Public health (London) 2024-12, Vol.237, p.116-121
• Main Authors: McCaskill, A., Gasch-Gallen, A., Montero-Marco, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Female; Health education; Health literacy; Health Literacy - statistics & numerical data; HLS19-Q12; Humans; Language; Male; Middle Aged; Reproducibility of Results; Secondary Care - statistics & numerical data; Spain; Surveys and Questionnaires; Validation; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0033-3506; 1476-5616; 1476-5616
• DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2024.09.022

This study sought to validate the HLS19-Q12 in Spain and in the Spanish language, as well as describe the sociodemographic profile and the general health literacy of the study population. Descriptive cross-sectional. Factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha were used to validate the Spanish version of the HLS19-Q12. Health literacy scores and associated categories were calculated using the scale factsheet, and the patient population sociodemographic profile was determined using frequency analysis. The HLS19-Q12 used in Spain in the Spanish language was found to be both valid and reliable (Cronbach's alpha = 0.87). The sociodemographic profile was primarily male and aged, and the majority of patients were of Spanish origin and had diabetes. General patient health literacy was limited, with 60% of participants having general health literacy categorized as inadequate or problematic, and 40 % sufficient or excellent. This study validated the HLS19-Q12 in Spain, created a sociodemographic profile of the sample population, and calculated their health literacy scores. This contribution provides another valuable validated tool and associated data to the increasingly important field of health literacy.