Health literacy in African countries: a scoping review

Ramos, Neida Neto Vicente; Kielmann, Karina; Martins, Maria do Rosário Oliveira; Fronteira, Inês

doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-3156619/v1

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 34 publications

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“…Research in 14 African nations showed low HL rates in rural, hard-to-reach areas and difficulties in understanding questionnaire responses. HL assessment tools specific to Africa are necessary ( 6 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Editorial: Health literacy and disease prevention, volume II

Gokdemir,

Kushwaha,

Shikha

et al. 2024

Front. Public Health

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Editorial: Health literacy and disease prevention, volume II

Gokdemir,

Kushwaha,

Shikha

et al. 2024

Front. Public Health

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Enhancing nutritional knowledge and self-regulation among adolescents: efficacy of a multifaceted food literacy intervention

Mancone,

Corrado,

Tosti

et al. 2024

Front. Psychol.

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This health literacy intervention study, conducted on adolescent students, aimed to evaluate the impact of a comprehensive educational program on promoting healthy eating habits. The intervention sought to enhance adolescents’ knowledge about nutrition, foster self-regulation skills, and ultimately improve their overall health, including their body mass index (BMI). Through a multi-component approach that combined theoretical learning with practical activities and the integration of digital tools such as the MyFitnessPal app, the study targeted improvements in food literacy, which encompasses nutrition knowledge, food label interpretation skills, and cooking abilities. These elements are critical in influencing adolescents’ food choices and eating behaviors, with a focus on increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables while reducing the intake of fast food and processed snacks. The intervention was structured around a series of educational workshops and interactive sessions, facilitated by professionals experienced in nutrition. These sessions covered topics such as food composition, the importance of a balanced diet, and strategies for avoiding excessive consumption of processed and high-energy-density foods. A distinctive feature of the program was its use of digital tools to enhance engagement and allow for the practical application of learned concepts through food tracking and activity monitoring. Preliminary results indicate positive outcomes in terms of increased food knowledge and improved dietary habits among participants. Notably, there was a significant improvement in adolescents’ BMI, highlighting the potential of food literacy interventions to contribute to better physical health outcomes. The study underscores the importance of adopting multidisciplinary and technology-enhanced approaches in educational programs aimed at promoting healthy eating among adolescents. The study’s findings suggest that well-structured food education programs, tailored to address the specific needs of adolescents, can facilitate positive changes in eating behavior. This highlights the critical role of food literacy in adolescents’ health and wellbeing and points to the need for continued investment in research and development to optimize intervention strategies. The integration of digital technologies and a focus on self-regulation strategies are identified as promising avenues for future research and educational practice, reinforcing the call for innovative investments in food education and health promotion among the youth.

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An exploratory cross-cultural study of community-based health literacy interventions to promote the mental well-being of disadvantaged and disabled young Africans: a multi-method approach

Sharpe,

Rajabi,

Mesa

et al. 2024

Front. Psychiatry

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BackgroundThis study explores the impact of community-based health literacy interventions on the health and mental well-being of disadvantaged young Africans in Zambia, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, and South Africa. The pandemic has exacerbated mental health problems amongst children and young people, underscoring the urgent need for equitable access to mental healthcare resources. Emphasizing the importance of equitable access to mental healthcare resources, the research addresses educational and income disparities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly amongst young Africans with disabilities or vulnerabilities.MethodsThe study comprised 1,624 young Africans, of whom 1,592 were surveyed, while 191 later participated in in-depth interviews and focus groups. Additionally, 32 participants exclusively joined focus groups. Participants were recruited to complete the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (SWEMWBS), WHO-5 Well-being Index, Pandemic Anxiety Scale (PAS), and Self-rating of Happiness, as well as semi-structured interviews or focus groups.ResultsThe findings highlight the significance of tailored health literacy interventions in addressing mental health challenges and promoting well-being in marginalized African communities. In the sample, 43.1% (686) reported to have at least a physical disability or serious health condition and 51.4% (818) had special educational needs (SENs). Mental health scores were significantly lower in participants with two or more physical disabilities and pre-existing mental health problems. Factors significantly associated with poor mental health included poor health literacy, physical disabilities, and pre-existing mental health problems. Four main themes were generated from the thematic analysis: early childhood trajectories and mental illness experiences; positionality, open communication, and mental illness experience; mental illness experience, emotional honesty, and social stratification; and spirituality, cultural beliefs, and mental illness experience.ConclusionThe study emphasizes the need for context-specific, culturally appropriate health literacy interventions to support the mental health and well-being of young Africans in LMICs. By focusing on the lived experiences of disadvantaged groups, the research contributes to a better understanding of effective strategies for promoting health literacy and addressing health inequalities in African communities during and after health emergencies.

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Health literacy in African countries: a scoping review

Cited by 4 publications

References 34 publications

Editorial: Health literacy and disease prevention, volume II

Editorial: Health literacy and disease prevention, volume II

Enhancing nutritional knowledge and self-regulation among adolescents: efficacy of a multifaceted food literacy intervention

An exploratory cross-cultural study of community-based health literacy interventions to promote the mental well-being of disadvantaged and disabled young Africans: a multi-method approach

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