Scoping Review: Valid and Reliable Health Literacy Assessment Tools Used in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Abstract

Background and PurposeDespite the importance of health literacy (HL) in health outcomes, most HL assessment tools are developed and used in first world, English speaking countries, and their applicability in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) is unclear. The purpose of this review is to examine valid and reliable tools used to assess HL among people in LMICs.MethodsA literature search of three databases was conducted with 20 final articles.ResultsCurrent HL assessment tools used in LMICs rely on participant's literacy and focus on measuring people's functional HL rather than reflecting the evolving definitions of HL.ConclusionsMore research needs to be conducted to better understand how people with limited literacy acquire and apply HL, and HL assessment tools need to assess various aspects of HL beyond one's functional HL.