Criterion validity of 14-item Health Literacy Scale (HLS-14) questionnaire in Brazilian adults and older people.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the criterion validity of the 14-item Health Literacy Scale (HLS-14) in Brazilian adults and older adults. The cross-sectional study performed in an oral health (OH) prospective cohort was conducted in 2017 in Piracicaba, Brazil. The HLS-14 questionnaire was applied to evaluate Health Literacy (HL) by dimensions: Functional literacy (FunL), Communicative literacy (ComL) and Critical literacy (CriL). An evaluation protocol (EP) was proposed to evaluate the criterion validity of HLS-14 considering HL dimensions (FunL: reading of the drug information leaflets; ComL: reading of the medical prescription and CriL: identification of OH conditions). HL (total) was dichotomized by the median in high (≥35 point) or low (<35 point) HL. Kendall's rank correlation coefficient (p < 0.05) and chi-squared test (p < 0.05) were applied. There was agreement between EP and HLS-14 for FunL (p < 0.01). There was association between high HL, measured through the HLS-14 questionnaire, assessing the reading of the drug information leaflets (p < 0.01) and the need for help to read them (p < 0.01). EP showed association between high HL and being able to read the drug information leaflet (p < 0.01), not needing help to read (p < 0.01), having found in the prescription all the information to take the medicine (p < 0.01) and knowing two or more health and OH information in the educational material (p < 0.01). The HSL-14 questionnaire showed criterion validity to measure FunL, and for some items of ComL and CriL evaluation. HL evaluation in a practical and multidimensional way could have an effect on the communication between health professional and patient, motivation and health outcomes.

Breastfeeding and Related Factors in Afrodescendant Women From Cartagena, Colombia

Abstract Objective: To describe practices and related factors to breastfeeding in afrodescendant women from Cartagena de Indias city, Colombia. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted between 2016 and 2017 in 548 mothers who had under 5 years children from afrodescendant communities. A self-reported questionnaire was applied, asking for sociodemographic variables, breastfeeding time and exclusive breastfeeding, family support and factors related to this practice. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and risk estimation by Odds Ratio (OR). Results: Most mothers were young adults (89.8%), having high scholar level (55.2%), family support and they were associated to the public health system. The prevalence of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months was 91.6% and 80.4%, respectively. Breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding practice were associated with mother's age (OR = 3.24, 95% CI= 1.80-5.8) and low mother's educational level (OR = 3.24, 95% CI= 1.8-5.8). Finally, no breastfeeding and the fact of not being performed exclusively was associated with no mother nipples examination, and not or insufficient information supplied about this issue. Conclusion: Breastfeeding practice was associated with mother's age and her educational level as well as with poor preparation to start this practice. Although its prevalence was high, it is necessary to implement policies within health system to encourage its practice and provide measures to solve problems during their development in mothers from vulnerable communities.