Effects of health literacy to self-efficacy and preventive care utilization among older adults.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the relationships between health literacy, self-efficacy and preventive care utilization among older adults in Taiwan.


METHODS
The data were from a longitudinal survey, "Taiwan Longitudinal Study in Aging" in 2003 and 2007. A total of 3479 participants who completed both two waves were included for analysis. Health literacy first was constructed through education, cognitive function and disease knowledge through structural equation modeling (SEM); then, the associations of health literacy to later self-efficacy and preventive care were examined.


RESULTS
The model fit of SEM was good, indicating that the construct of health literacy was appropriate. Healthy literacy showed a moderate positive effect on self-efficacy and a small positive effect on preventive care utilization.


CONCLUSIONS
Health literacy increases self-efficacy and utilization of preventive care. Promoting people's health knowledge and health literacy is suggested.
Clinical Trials Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Ji-Zhen
JZ
Chen
Hui-Chuan
HC
Hsu
Ho-Jui
HJ
Tung
Ling-Yen
LY
Pan
D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D057220:Health Literacy; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan