Examination of Different Segments of Health Literacy and Health Awareness Among Pregnant Women
Author(s)
Ilona Karácsony, B.Sc, M.Sc, PhD1, Tímea Völgyiné Bujdosó, BSc2, Tímea Csákvári, MSc, PhD3, Mónika Ferenczy, BSc, MSc1, Kitti Máté-Póhr, BSc, MSc4, Kálmánné Komlósi, BSc, MSc5, Imre Boncz, MSc, PhD, MD6, Annamaria Pakai, MSc, RN, PhD1;
1University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing Sciences, Basic Health Sciences and Health Visiting, Szombathely, Hungary, 2University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing Sciences, Basic Health Sciences and Health Visiting, Sopron, Hungary, 3University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute for Health Insurance, Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, 4University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Emergency Care, Pedagogy of Health and Nursing Sciences, Szombathely, Hungary, 5The Aladár Petz University Teaching Hospital in Győr-Moson-Sopron County, Health Visitor Service, Szombathely, Hungary, 6University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute for Health Insurance, Pécs, Hungary
1University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing Sciences, Basic Health Sciences and Health Visiting, Szombathely, Hungary, 2University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing Sciences, Basic Health Sciences and Health Visiting, Sopron, Hungary, 3University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute for Health Insurance, Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, 4University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Emergency Care, Pedagogy of Health and Nursing Sciences, Szombathely, Hungary, 5The Aladár Petz University Teaching Hospital in Győr-Moson-Sopron County, Health Visitor Service, Szombathely, Hungary, 6University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute for Health Insurance, Pécs, Hungary
OBJECTIVES: To assess the levels of objective and subjective health literacy among pregnant women and explore their relationship with health awareness during pregnancy and knowledge related to reproductive health.
METHODS: Our quantitative, cross-sectional study targeted pregnant women in their second and third trimesters (n=150) through an online platform using self-administered and standardized questionnaires (BRIEF, NVS). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test for categorical variables, and one-way ANOVA for comparing means (p<0.05) with SPSS 26 software.
RESULTS: A majority of the sample, 82%, demonstrated adequate objective health literacy, while 44% of respondents were categorized as adequate based on subjective measurements. Higher subjective health literacy was associated with higher educational levels (p<0.05). Knowledge about healthy nutrition during pregnancy was assessed with 10 questions (maximum score: 16 points), with participants scoring an average of 10.93 points. The knowledge test on the effects of smoking had a maximum score of 65 points, with a mean score of M=55.33 points. Both knowledge tests showed significantly higher scores among those with higher objective health literacy (p<0.05). Conscious preparation for pregnancy was measured on a 15-point scale (M=6.04 points). This score was independent of health literacy levels (p>0.05). On a knowledge test measuring risk factor of advanced maternal age, the group scored an average of 8.51 points out of a maximum of 17 points, which was also not influenced by health literacy levels (p>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the need for significant improvements in knowledge about conscious family planning among all young adults of reproductive age. Awareness of the effects of lifestyle factors related to pregnancy requires strengthening among those with lower health literacy.
METHODS: Our quantitative, cross-sectional study targeted pregnant women in their second and third trimesters (n=150) through an online platform using self-administered and standardized questionnaires (BRIEF, NVS). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test for categorical variables, and one-way ANOVA for comparing means (p<0.05) with SPSS 26 software.
RESULTS: A majority of the sample, 82%, demonstrated adequate objective health literacy, while 44% of respondents were categorized as adequate based on subjective measurements. Higher subjective health literacy was associated with higher educational levels (p<0.05). Knowledge about healthy nutrition during pregnancy was assessed with 10 questions (maximum score: 16 points), with participants scoring an average of 10.93 points. The knowledge test on the effects of smoking had a maximum score of 65 points, with a mean score of M=55.33 points. Both knowledge tests showed significantly higher scores among those with higher objective health literacy (p<0.05). Conscious preparation for pregnancy was measured on a 15-point scale (M=6.04 points). This score was independent of health literacy levels (p>0.05). On a knowledge test measuring risk factor of advanced maternal age, the group scored an average of 8.51 points out of a maximum of 17 points, which was also not influenced by health literacy levels (p>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the need for significant improvements in knowledge about conscious family planning among all young adults of reproductive age. Awareness of the effects of lifestyle factors related to pregnancy requires strengthening among those with lower health literacy.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
PCR224
Topic
Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Patient Behavior and Incentives, Patient-reported Outcomes & Quality of Life Outcomes
Disease
SDC: Mental Health (including addition), SDC: Reproductive & Sexual Health