Sociodemographic Correlates of Low Health Literacy Skills among Cancer Survivors: National Findings from BRFSS 2016 and Implications for Precision Survivorship Care

Abstract

Abstract Purpose The purpose of the present study is to examine the prevalence of low health literacy skills among cancer survivors and their sociodemographic correlates. Methods This study used 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data. We conducted weighted Chi-square test and logistic regression to compare the difference in prevalence of low health literacy skills between cancer survivors and non-cancer survivors. We used multiple and multinominal logistic regressions to assess the association between sociodemographic characteristic (sex, age, race/ethnicity, marital status, education, employment and household income) and three health literacy skills (difficulty obtaining, difficulty understanding oral, and difficulty understanding written health information). Results Difficulty understanding oral and written information is greater among cancer survivors than non-cancer survivors. Low educational attainment and income were associated with greater difficulties with all three health literacy skills. Young adult, male, and Hispanic cancer survivors have more difficulties obtaining health information. For cancer survivors, the odds of having difficulties in three health literacy skills versus the odds of having no difficulties were higher for those who were younger than 65, Hispanic, unemployed, with education levels lower than some college and with household income under $25,000. Conclusion Sex, age, race/ethnicity, income, employment and education are significant indicators of different health literacy skills among cancer survivors. Implications for Cancer Survivors Oncology providers seek to better communicate with cancer survivors from diverse backgrounds. Intervention programs need to be tailored for different skills with different populations to meet their expectation in terms of age, language, knowledge based and culture backgrounds.