Health Literacy in Male-Dominated Occupations

Abstract

Low levels of health literacy are associated with poorer health outcomes. Both individual- and social-level factors have been identified as predictors of low health literacy, and men are known to have lower health literacy than women. Previous research has reported that men working in male-dominated occupations are at higher risk of accidents, injury, and suicide than other population groups, yet no study to date has examined the effect of gendered occupational contexts on men’s health literacy. The current article examined the association between occupational gender ratio and health literacy among Australian males. The Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health (Ten to Men) was used to examine associations between occupational gender ratio (measured in Wave 1) and health literacy (measured in Wave 2) across three subscales of the Health Literacy Questionnaire. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used and showed that the more male dominated an occupational group became, the lower the scores of health literacy were. Results for the different subscales of health literacy for the most male-dominated occupational group, compared to the non-male-dominated group were: ability to find good health information, (Coef. −0.80, 95% CI [−1.05, −0.54], p < .001); ability to actively engage with health-care providers, (Coef. −0.35, 95% CI [−0.62, −0.07], p = .013); and feeling understood and supported by health-care providers, (Coef. −0.48, 95% CI [−0.71, −0.26], p = < .001). The results suggest the need for workplace interventions to address occupation-level factors as an influence on health literacy among Australian men, particularly among the most male-dominated occupational groups.

Related Factors for Impaired Fasting Glucose in Korean Adults: A Population Based Study

“…A number of European countries have reported that low education, old age, and financial scarcity are commonly associated with low health literacy [ 28 , 29 ]. However, information on the relationship between sex and health literacy is still lacking, and the results of health literacy according to sex suggest otherwise [ 30 , 31 ]. Individuals with IFG need health and food information they can understand and use in order to maintain target blood glucose levels and properly manage their health [ 32 ].…”

“…Individuals with IFG need health and food information they can understand and use in order to maintain target blood glucose levels and properly manage their health [ 32 ]. However, Koreans have a low understanding of food information and a low level of practice in using information for food selection [ 30 ]. In particular, middle-aged Korean male are less interested in food purchases [ 13 ], and married middle-aged female still take on the main responsibility for preparing meals at home and as food purchasers [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Men’s Physical Activity and Sleep Following a Workplace Health Intervention: Findings from the POWERPLAY STEP Up challenge

“…These elements may influence and contribute to recruitment efforts for men in the participation of workplace health promotion programming. Gender-based programming may be especially relevant for engaging men in male-dominated workplaces, where low levels of health literacy among men have been highlighted ( Milner et al, 2020 ).…”

“We are our own worst enemy”: a qualitative exploration of work-related stress in the construction industry

“…, 2016). Men in male-dominated industries are also at greater risk of poorer physical health and more likely to engage in health-harming behaviours (Milner et al. , 2020).…”

“…construction, transport and mining (Roche et al, 2016)) are particularly vulnerable to poor mental health, with higher rates of depression than the general population (Roche et al, 2016). Men in male-dominated industries are also at greater risk of poorer physical health and more likely to engage in health-harming behaviours (Milner et al, 2020). Research suggests these poor health outcomes and behaviours may be a consequence of traditional masculine norms such as self-sufficiency, emotional control, acting "tough" and risk-taking (Ragonese et al, 2019).…”