Health literacy in Pakistani migrants in Australia—An emerging and neglected culturally and linguistically diverse community

Abstract

AbstractIssue AddressedPakistani migrants are one of the fastest‐growing culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in Australia, but there is currently a lack of information regarding their health literacy. This study aimed to investigate the health literacy of Pakistani migrants residing in Australia.MethodsUsing a cross‐sectional study design, health literacy was measured using the Urdu version of Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ). Descriptive statistics and linear regression were used to describe the health literacy profile of respondents and to examine its association with their demographic characteristics.ResultsThe responses of 202 Pakistani migrants were included. The median age of the respondents was 36 years, 61.8% were males and 87.6% had a university education. The majority spoke Urdu at home and almost 80% were Australian permanent residents or citizens. Pakistani respondents scored high on HLQ domains; feeling understood by health providers (Scale 1), social support for health care (Scales 4), engaging with health care providers (Scale 6) and understanding health information (Scale 9). The respondents scored low on HLQ domains; having sufficient information (Scale 2), actively managing health (Scale 3), appraisal of health information (Scale 5), navigating the health care system (Scale 7) and ability to find information (Scale 8). In the regression model, university education and age were significantly associated with health literacy in almost all the domains, but the effect size was small for age. Speaking English at home and being a permanent resident were also associated with better health literacy in two to three HLQ domains.ConclusionsHealth literacy strengths and weaknesses of Pakistani migrants residing in Australia were identified. Health care providers and organisations may use these findings to tailor health information and services to better support health literacy in this community.So What?This study will inform future interventions to better support health literacy and reduce health disparities in Pakistani migrants residing in Australia.