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Health literacy among Canadian men experiencing prostate cancer
Seaton, Cherisse L. Oliffe, John L. Rice, Simon M. Bottorff, Joan L. Johnson, Steven T. Gordon, Susan J. Chambers, Suzanne K.
Seaton, Cherisse L.
Oliffe, John L.
Rice, Simon M.
Bottorff, Joan L.
Johnson, Steven T.
Gordon, Susan J.
Chambers, Suzanne K.
Abstract
The objective was to describe the health literacy of a sample of Canadian men with prostate cancer and explore whether sociodemographic and health factors were related to men’s health literacy scores. A sample of 213 Canadian men (M age = 68.71 years, SD = 7.44) diagnosed with prostate cancer were recruited from an online prostate cancer support website. The men completed the Health Literacy Questionnaire along with demographic, comorbidity, and prostate cancer treatment–related questions online. Of the 5-point scales, men’s health literacy scores were highest for “Understanding health information enough to know what to do” (M = 4.04, SD = 0.48) and lowest for “Navigating the health care system” (M = 3.80, SD = 0.58). Of the 4-point scales, men’s scores were highest for “Feeling understood and supported by health care professionals” (M = 3.20, SD = 0.52) and lowest for “Having sufficient information to manage my health” (M = 2.97, SD = 0.46). Regression analyses indicated that level of education was positively associated with health literacy scores, and men without comorbidities had higher health literacy scores. Age and years since diagnosis were unrelated to health literacy. Support in health system navigation and self-management of health may be important targets for intervention.
Keywords
health literacy, men, prostate cancer, masculinity
Date
2020
Type
Journal article
Journal
Health Promotion Practice
Book
Volume
21
Issue
6
Page Range
1004-1011
Article Number
ACU Department
Faculty of Health Sciences
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled