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International Journal of Public Health

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01-12-2013 | Original Article

Health literacy and substance use in young Swiss men

Authors: Petra Dermota, Jen Wang, Michelle Dey, Gerhard Gmel, Joseph Studer, Meichun Mohler-Kuo

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 6/2013

Abstract

Objectives

The purpose of the present study was to describe health literacy and its association with substance use among young men.

Methods

The present study was part of the Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors that included 11,930 Swiss males participating in initial screening from August 2010 to July 2011. Self-completed questionnaires covered use of three substances and three components of health literacy.

Results

Roughly 22 % reported having searched the Internet for health information and 16 % for information on substances over the past 12 months. At-risk and not at-risk users of alcohol (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.50 and 1.46), tobacco (AOR = 2.51 and 1.79) and cannabis (AOR = 4.86 and 3.53) searched for information about substances significantly more often via the Internet than abstainers. Furthermore, at-risk users reported better knowledge of risks associated with substance use and a marginally better ability to understand health information than abstainers.

Conclusions

Substance users appear to be more informed and knowledgeable about the risks of substance use than non-users. Consequently, interventions that focus only on information provision may be of limited benefit for preventing substance use.

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Title: Health literacy and substance use in young Swiss men
Authors: Petra Dermota
Jen Wang
Michelle Dey
Gerhard Gmel
Joseph Studer
Meichun Mohler-Kuo
Publication date: 01-12-2013
Publisher: Springer Basel
Published in: International Journal of Public Health / Issue 6/2013
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-013-0487-9

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Health literacy and substance use in young Swiss men

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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