Health literacy in childhood and youth: a systematic review of definitions and models
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Authors
Bröder, Janine
Okan, Orkan
Bauer, Ullrich
Bruland, Dirk
Schlupp, Sandra
Bollweg, Torsten M.
Saboga-Nunes, Luis
Bond, Emma
Sørensen, Kristine
Bitzer, Eva-Maria
Author (Corporation)
Publication date
2017
Typ of student thesis
Course of study
Collections
Type
01A - Journal article
Editors
Editor (Corporation)
Supervisor
Parent work
BMC Public Health
Special issue
DOI of the original publication
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Series
Series number
Volume
17
Issue / Number
Pages / Duration
1-24
Patent number
Publisher / Publishing institution
BioMed Central
Place of publication / Event location
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Abstract
Background: Children and young people constitute a core target group for health literacy research and practice: during childhood and youth, fundamental cognitive, physical and emotional development processes take place and health-related behaviours and skills develop. However, there is limited knowledge and academic consensus regarding the abilities and knowledge a child or young person should possess for making sound health decisions. The research presented in this review addresses this gap by providing an overview and synthesis of current understandings of health literacy in childhood and youth. Furthermore, the authors aim to understand to what extent available models capture the unique needs and characteristics of children and young people.
Method: Six databases were systematically searched with relevant search terms in English and German. Of the n = 1492 publications identified, N = 1021 entered the abstract screening and N = 340 full-texts were screened for eligibility. A total of 30 articles, which defined or conceptualized generic health literacy for a target population of 18 years or younger, were selected for a four-step inductive content analysis.
Results: The systematic review of the literature identified 12 definitions and 21 models that have been specifically developed for children and young people. In the literature, health literacy in children and young people is described as comprising variable sets of key dimensions, each appearing as a cluster of related abilities, skills, commitments, and knowledge that enable a person to approach health information competently and effectively and to derive at healthpromoting decisions and actions.
Discussion: Identified definitions and models are very heterogeneous, depicting health literacy as multidimensional, complex construct. Moreover, health literacy is conceptualized as an action competence, with a strong focus on personal attributes, while also recognising its interrelatedness with social and contextual determinants. Life phase specificities are mainly considered from a cognitive and developmental perspective, leaving children’s and young people’s specific needs, vulnerabilities, and social structures poorly incorporated within most models. While a critical number of definitions and models were identified for youth or secondary school students, similar findings are lacking for children under the age of ten or within a primary school context.
Keywords
Health Literacy, Health Competencies, Children, Young People, Adolescents, Pupils, Definitions, Conceptual Models, Dimensions, Literature Review
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ISBN
ISSN
1471-2458
Language
English
Created during FHNW affiliation
Yes
Strategic action fields FHNW
Publication status
Published
Review
Peer review of the complete publication
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License
Citation
Bröder, J., Okan, O., Bauer, U., Bruland, D., Schlupp, S., Bollweg, T. M., Saboga-Nunes, L., Bond, E., Sørensen, K., Bitzer, E.-M., Jordan, S., Domanska, O., Firnges, C., Carvalho, G. S., Bittlingmayer, U. H., Levin-Zamir, D., Pelikan, J., Sahrai, D., Lenz, A., et al. (2017). Health literacy in childhood and youth: a systematic review of definitions and models. BMC Public Health, 17, 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4267-y