ERIC Number: EJ1377446
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-1304-6020
Psychometric Properties of Health Literacy Measure for Adolescents (HELMA) and Predictors of Health Literacy among Youth from Malaysia and Sri Lanka
Vashe, Asha; Sekaran, Varalakshmi Chandra; Chandnani, Diya Gobindram; Batcha, Noor Aisyah binti Anwar; Moganadass, Kasveny; Saghadevan, Saranya
Journal of Turkish Science Education, v19 n4 p1206-1221 2022
Health literacy is critical for individual empowerment because it affects how people obtain health information and use it in ways that benefit their health. Healthcare practitioners frequently lack adequate training in health literacy principles. The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Health Literacy Measure for Adolescents (HELMA) instrument to assess the health literacy and the predictors of health literacy among youth from Malaysia and Sri Lanka studying at a medical institution. Following ethics clearance, students aged between 18-24 years enrolled in semesters I through V were approached. Following informed consent, using convenience sampling/complete enumeration, i.e., all students were invited to participate. Overall, 315 participants provided complete data. Cronbach's alpha for the HELMA instrument was 0.74. Based on factor loading, Access, Reading, and Self-efficacy were combined under the sub-domain 'Approach.' Health literacy was highest in the domain of 'Numeracy' followed by 'Understanding' and 'Approach'. Lower health literacy was observed among younger students and those in lower semesters while having a health worker in the family significantly improved health literacy among participants. Our findings support the use of the HELMA instrument to assess youth health literacy.
Descriptors: Health Behavior, Multiple Literacies, Late Adolescents, Well Being, Knowledge Level, Psychometrics, Medical Students, Premedical Students, Foreign Countries, Access to Information, Information Sources, Information Needs, Age Differences, Health Personnel, Measures (Individuals)
Journal of Turkish Science Education. e-mail: editortused@gmail.com; Web site: https://www.tused.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Malaysia; Sri Lanka
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A