HEALTH LITERACY AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN ADULTS PRIMARY CARE USERS

Abstract The aim was to investigate health literacy and association with social and demographic factors, self-perception of health and quality of life in adults. This is a cross-sectional study with adults between 20 and 59 years, users of primary health care, conducted in the basic health units, from February to May of 2015 – probability sample. Health literacy was evaluated by means of Short Assessment of Health Literacy for Portuguese-speaking Adults. Descriptive statistical analysis, bivariate analysis (p ≤ 0.20) and multiple logistic regression (p ≤ 0.05) were performed. Inadequate health literacy was recurrent and initially associated with sex, schooling, last grade concluded with approval, minimum formal study, Brasil Economic Classification Criterion, health insurance, family arrangement, importance attributed to health, grade attributed to own health, attendance to the basic health unit and two domains of the test World Health Organization Quality of Life (social relations and environmental). In the final model of logistic regression, only schooling remained associated with health literacy, in a way that individuals with less schooling had more chance of having inadequate health literacy. The findings suggest the need to develop health education strategies for adult users of primary care.