Health Literacy in Patients Wearing Prosthetic Eyes: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study

Rokohl AC, Pine NS, Adler W, Bartenschlager LAK, Matos PAW, Trester M, Pine KR, Pfoertner TK, Heindl LM (2022)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

Current Eye Research Taylor & Francis

DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2022.2141783

Abstract

Purpose To investigate general and electronic health literacy (HL) levels in prosthetic eye wearing patients, to define factors associated with reduced HL, and to identify a potential healthcare gap. Methods In this prospective cross-sectional study 148 prosthetic eye wearers were screened using the 16-item European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q16) and the 8-item electronic Health Literacy Scale (eHEALS). HLS-EU-16 and eHEALS scores were correlated to health levels, vision functioning, and sociodemographic factors. Results A total of 85 patients (57%) had adequate, 38 (26%) problematic, and 9 (6%) inadequate general HL, while 16 (11%) had no valid HLS-EU-Q16 score. General HL was positively correlated with physical health (p = 0.009) and negatively with a migration background (p = 0.023). There was a positive correlation between electronic HL and educational level (p < 0.001), social status (p = 0.048), and mental health (p = 0.013). Higher age was associated with lower electronic HL (p < 0.001). Conclusions More than 30% of the prosthetic eye wearers had problematic or even inadequate general HL, suggesting a significant health care gap. To identify patients with reduced HL, a standardized screening tool should be implemented as part of routine clinical care. Within integrated care, patients with insufficient HL should be offered barrier-free advisory services and information brochures in various languages.

Authors with CRIS profile

Werner Adler Lehrstuhl für Biometrie und Epidemiologie

Involved external institutions

Universität zu Köln DE Germany (DE) Auckland District Health Board NZ New Zealand (NZ) Institut für Augenprothetik W. Trester GmbH DE Germany (DE) University of Auckland NZ New Zealand (NZ)

How to cite

APA:

Rokohl, A.C., Pine, N.S., Adler, W., Bartenschlager, L.A.K., Matos, P.A.W., Trester, M.,... Heindl, L.M. (2022). Health Literacy in Patients Wearing Prosthetic Eyes: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study. Current Eye Research. https://doi.org/10.1080/02713683.2022.2141783

MLA:

Rokohl, Alexander C., et al. "Health Literacy in Patients Wearing Prosthetic Eyes: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study." Current Eye Research (2022).

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