Health literacy and therapeutic follow-up of adults and older adults with speech-language and hearing complaints in Brazilian primary health care: preliminary results
1
Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, São Paulo State University, Marília, Brazil
2
Graduate Program in Health Sciences and Human Communication, São Paulo State University, Marília, Brazil
3
Undergraduate Course in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, São Paulo State University, Marília, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A78
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Health literacy is a key social determinant of health and influences individuals’ ability to navigate health services. In primary health care, where speech-language-hearing complaints are frequent among adults and older adults, understanding the relationship between health literacy and therapeutic follow-up is essential to strengthen comprehensive care1-2. This study presents preliminary results of an ongoing investigation in a Primary Health Care Unit.
METHODS:
This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study with ethical approval. Preliminary data were collected from 115 adult and older users (≥18 years) attending a Primary Health Care Unit in a medium-sized Brazilian city. Participants completed a researcher-developed questionnaire addressing sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported speech-language-hearing complaints, and aspects of therapeutic follow-up, as well as the 14-item Health Literacy Scale (HLS-14)3, which assesses functional, communicative, and critical health literacy. Descriptive analyses characterized the sample and explored patterns of health literacy and follow-up.
RESULTS:
The preliminary sample had a mean age of 49.4 years (±17.1), with a predominance of women and individuals self-identified as White. Most participants reported completed secondary or higher education and varied occupational statuses. Responses to HLS-14 indicated a tendency toward adequate communicative and critical health literacy, particularly regarding the ability to seek, understand, and evaluate health information. However, variability in functional health literacy items suggested difficulties in accessing or processing written health information among part of the sample. Preliminary findings also indicated heterogeneous patterns of therapeutic follow-up, reinforcing the need to consider individual and contextual factors in care coordination.
CONCLUSIONS:
These preliminary results highlight study feasibility and the relevance of assessing health literacy in primary care users with speech-language-hearing demands. Differences across health literacy domains may influence therapeutic follow-up, underscoring the importance of tailored communication strategies and comprehensive care models. Ongoing data collection with a larger sample will allow more robust analyses.
Health literacy is a key social determinant of health and influences individuals’ ability to navigate health services. In primary health care, where speech-language-hearing complaints are frequent among adults and older adults, understanding the relationship between health literacy and therapeutic follow-up is essential to strengthen comprehensive care1-2. This study presents preliminary results of an ongoing investigation in a Primary Health Care Unit.
METHODS:
This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study with ethical approval. Preliminary data were collected from 115 adult and older users (≥18 years) attending a Primary Health Care Unit in a medium-sized Brazilian city. Participants completed a researcher-developed questionnaire addressing sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported speech-language-hearing complaints, and aspects of therapeutic follow-up, as well as the 14-item Health Literacy Scale (HLS-14)3, which assesses functional, communicative, and critical health literacy. Descriptive analyses characterized the sample and explored patterns of health literacy and follow-up.
RESULTS:
The preliminary sample had a mean age of 49.4 years (±17.1), with a predominance of women and individuals self-identified as White. Most participants reported completed secondary or higher education and varied occupational statuses. Responses to HLS-14 indicated a tendency toward adequate communicative and critical health literacy, particularly regarding the ability to seek, understand, and evaluate health information. However, variability in functional health literacy items suggested difficulties in accessing or processing written health information among part of the sample. Preliminary findings also indicated heterogeneous patterns of therapeutic follow-up, reinforcing the need to consider individual and contextual factors in care coordination.
CONCLUSIONS:
These preliminary results highlight study feasibility and the relevance of assessing health literacy in primary care users with speech-language-hearing demands. Differences across health literacy domains may influence therapeutic follow-up, underscoring the importance of tailored communication strategies and comprehensive care models. Ongoing data collection with a larger sample will allow more robust analyses.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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