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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

Health literacy: the missing link in improving the health of Somali immigrant women in Oslo

Authors: Abdi A. Gele, Kjell Sverre Pettersen, Liv Elin Torheim, Bernadette Kumar

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

Existing studies report a positive association between inadequate health literacy and immigrant’s adverse health outcomes. Despite substantial research on this topic among immigrants, little is known about the level of health literacy among Somali women in Europe, and particularly in Norway.

Methods

A cross sectional study using respondent driven sampling was conducted in Oslo, Norway. A sample of 302 Somali women, 25 years and older, was interviewed using the short version of the European Health Literacy Questionnaire. Data was analysed using logistic regression.

Results

Findings revealed that 71 % of Somali women in Oslo lack the ability to obtain, understand and act upon health information and services, and to make appropriate health decisions. Being unemployed (OR 3.66, CI 1.08–12.3) and socially less integrated (OR 8.17, CI 1.21–54.8) were independent predictors of an inadequate health literacy among Somali women.

Conclusions

Enhanced health literacy will most likely increase the chance to better health outcomes for immigrants, thereby moving towards health equity in the Norwegian society. Therefore, policies and programs are required to focus and improve health literacy of immigrant communities.
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Metadata
Title
Health literacy: the missing link in improving the health of Somali immigrant women in Oslo
Authors
Abdi A. Gele
Kjell Sverre Pettersen
Liv Elin Torheim
Bernadette Kumar
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3790-6

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