摘要：OBJECTIVE: To analyze the scoring obtained by an instrument, which evaluates the ability to read and understand items in the health care setting, according to education and age. METHODS: The short version of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults was administered to 312 healthy participants of different ages and years of schooling. The study was conducted between 2006 and 2007, in the city of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil. The test includes actual materials such as pill bottles and appointment slips and measures reading comprehension, assessing the ability to read and correctly pronounce a list of words and understand both prose passages and numerical information. Pearson partial correlations and a multiple regression model were used to verify the association between its scores and education and age. RESULTS: The mean age of the sample was 47.3 years (SD=16.8) and the mean education was 9.7 years (SD=5; range: 1 – 17). A total of 32.4% of the sample showed literacy/numeracy de fi cits, scoring in the inadequate and marginal functional health literacy ranges. Among the elderly (65 years or older) this rate increased to 51.6%. There was a positive correlation between schooling and scores (r=0.74; p<0.01) and a negative correlation between age and the scores (r=-0.259; p<0.01). The correlation between the scores and age was not signi fi cant when the effects of education were held constant (rp=-0.031, p=0.584). A signi fi cant association (B=3.877, Beta=0.733; p<0.001) was found between schooling and scores. Age was not a signi fi cant predictor in this model (B=-0.035, Beta=-0.22; p=0.584). CONCLUSIONS: The short version of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults was a suitable tool to assess health literacy in the study population. The high number of individuals classi fi ed as functional illiterates in this test highlights the importance of special assistance to help them properly understand directions for healthcare.
其他摘要：OBJECTIVE: To analyze the scoring obtained by an instrument, which evaluates the ability to read and understand items in the health care setting, according to education and age. METHODS: The short version of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults was administered to 312 healthy participants of different ages and years of schooling. The study was conducted between 2006 and 2007, in the city of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil. The test includes actual materials such as pill bottles and appointment slips and measures reading comprehension, assessing the ability to read and correctly pronounce a list of words and understand both prose passages and numerical information. Pearson partial correlations and a multiple regression model were used to verify the association between its scores and education and age. RESULTS: The mean age of the sample was 47.3 years (SD=16.8) and the mean education was 9.7 years (SD=5; range: 1 – 17). A total of 32.4% of the sample showed literacy/numeracy de fi cits, scoring in the inadequate and marginal functional health literacy ranges. Among the elderly (65 years or older) this rate increased to 51.6%. There was a positive correlation between schooling and scores (r=0.74; p<0.01) and a negative correlation between age and the scores (r=-0.259; p<0.01). The correlation between the scores and age was not signi fi cant when the effects of education were held constant (rp=-0.031, p=0.584). A signi fi cant association (B=3.877, Beta=0.733; p<0.001) was found between schooling and scores. Age was not a signi fi cant predictor in this model (B=-0.035, Beta=-0.22; p=0.584). CONCLUSIONS: The short version of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults was a suitable tool to assess health literacy in the study population. The high number of individuals classi fi ed as functional illiterates in this test highlights the importance of special assistance to help them properly understand directions for healthcare.
关键词：Adult; Educational Status; Comprehension; Education; Language Tests; Questionnaires; Validation Studies; Health Education; Patient Education as Topic.
其他关键词：Adult; Educational Status; Comprehension; Education; Language Tests; Questionnaires; Validation Studies; Health Education; Patient Education as Topic.
