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Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research

The relationship between health literacy and quality of life among frequent users of health care services: a cross-sectional study

Authors: Éva Marjorie Couture, Maud-Christine Chouinard, Martin Fortin, Catherine Hudon

Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

Although health literacy and quality of life are important concepts in health care, the link between them is unclear, especially for a population of frequent users of health care services with chronic diseases. Low health literacy is a common problem that has been linked to several negative health outcomes. Quality of life is an important health outcome in patient-centered care. Frequent users of health care services are a vulnerable population that deserves attention due to high costs and negative outcomes such as lower quality of life and higher mortality. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between health literacy and the physical and mental components of quality of life among frequent users of health care services with chronic diseases.

Methods

This study presents the cross-sectional analysis of data collected through the V1SAGES project, a randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of a case management intervention in primary care in Quebec, Canada. Participants (n = 247) were frequent users of health care services presenting at least one chronic condition. Health literacy was measured by the Newest Vital Sign (NVS), and the physical and mental components of quality of life were evaluated by the Short Form Health Survey Version 2 (SF-12v2). The association between health literacy (independent variable) and the physical and mental components of quality of life was examined using biserial correlation.

Results

No association was found between health literacy and quality of life (physical component: r = 0.108, ρ = 0.11; mental component: r = 0.147, ρ = 0.15).

Conclusion

This study suggests that there is no relationship between health literacy and the physical and mental components of quality of life among frequent users of health care services.

Trial registration

NCT01719991. Registered October 25, 2012.
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Metadata
Title
The relationship between health literacy and quality of life among frequent users of health care services: a cross-sectional study
Authors
Éva Marjorie Couture
Maud-Christine Chouinard
Martin Fortin
Catherine Hudon
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7525
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-017-0716-7

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