Factors Influencing Health Literacy among Older Men and Women

Abstract

This study examined factors associated with health literacy among older men and women based on their socio-demographic and health status characteristics, using data from 1,836 participants in the ninth KNHANES (Ⅸ-2). Among older men, significant factors were: age 65–74 years (OR=1.51, CI=1.04–2.18), higher education (OR=0.65, CI=0.44–0.95), higher income (OR=0.43, CI=0.30–0.61), urban residence (OR=1.63, CI=1.10–2.41), and non-smoking (OR=0.57, CI=0.37–0.89). Among older women, significant factors were: age 65–74 years (OR=1.53, CI=1.07–2.19), higher education (OR=0.44, CI=0.32–0.59), physical examination (OR=1.54, CI=1.05–2.24), and good self-rated health (OR=1.99, CI=1.31–3.02). The factors affecting health literacy differed between the two genders. Among older adult with high health literacy, men did not smoke and women had physical examination and good self-rated health. Focusing on the elderly groups with low socioeconomic status, it is necessary to improve health literacy by considering the current smoking status of older men and the health examination status and self-rated health of older women.