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ERIC Number: ED676758
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2015-Feb
Pages: 31
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Understanding Health Information Seeking Behaviors of Adults with Low Literacy, Numeracy, and Problem Solving Skills: Results from the 2012 US PIAAC Study. Commissioned Paper
Iris Feinberg; Daphne Greenberg; Jan Frijters
Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies
Literacy, numeracy, and problem solving in technology-rich environments (LNPS) skills are important for health -- LNPS is linked with health through accessing, interpreting, and using health information which leads to increased health knowledge and further impact on health behaviors. In order for adults to participate in their health care, they must have adequate functional health literacy, which is driven by the ability to seek and then use health information. There is limited understanding about health information seeking behaviors (HISB) for adults with low LNPS. The purpose of this study is to gain an understanding about which demographic, health behavior, and facilities in English factors influence health information seeking behaviors (HISB) in adults ages 16-65 who have low level LNPS. Methods and Data Source: We ran several sets of analyses on the 2012 US PIAAC Data using SAS v. 9.1.3 (Cary, NC). Our population was stratified into 3 specific domains -- Literacy, Numeracy, and Problem Solving -- with low level proficiency levels based on OECD convention. Outcome variables are sources of health information -- Print Media, Internet, Radio/TV, Family/Friends/Co-Workers, and Health Professionals. Predictor variables are Gender, Age, Race, Educational Attainment, Health status, Use of Preventive Health Measures and Facilities in Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Understanding Spoken English. All appropriate weighting and imputation macros derived by the OECD were utilized, and frequencies and logistic regressions were conducted. Results: Within the Literacy and Numeracy domains, our study population used oral communication sources (Radio/TV, Health Professionals, Friends/Family/Co-Workers) more often than printed communication sources (Print Media, Internet). Those in the Problem Solving domain used the Internet more than those in the Literacy and Numeracy domains. Varying combinations of demographic, health behavior, and facilities in English were significant for each source of health information depending on the cognitive domain. However, there was no predictive consistent pattern across domains or across health information sources. Significance: People with low level LNPS who seek health information report better health than those who do not seek health information, regardless of information source. HISB is also complex and individualized. There are differences in HISBs among those with low level Literacy, Numeracy, and Problem Solving proficiency levels based on both sources used and different demographic, health behavior, and facilities in English variables. People also use multiple sources for health information. Those who actively seek health information are more likely to be active participants in their health care outcomes, a key construct in high quality health care. Understanding the multifaceted nature of HISB can help researchers and practitioners develop targeted and sustainable interventions to increase HISB.
Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies. Available from: American Institutes for Research. 1400 Crystal Drive 10th Floor, Arlington, VA 22202. Tel: 202-403-5000; Fax: 202-403-5001; Web site: https://www.air.org/project/program-international-assessment-adult-competencies-piaac
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Authoring Institution: Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) at American Institutes for Research (AIR)
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC)
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Department of Education Funded: Yes
Author Affiliations: N/A