J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs.  2024 Nov;31(4):506-514. 10.7739/jkafn.2024.31.4.506.

Association between Health Literacy and Disability in Activities of Daily Living among Older Adults with Multimorbidity: Findings from the Korean Health Panel Survey in 2021

• Choi HG

• KMID: 2561816
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7739/jkafn.2024.31.4.506

Abstract

Purpose
This study investigated the relationship between health literacy and disability in activities of daily living (ADL) in older adults with multimorbidity.
Methods
Using data from the Korea Health Panel Survey (KHPS), 2,153 older adults with multimorbidity were analyzed in this cross-sectional study. The x² test was performed to determine differences in ADL disability according to demographic and health-related characteristics. In addition, multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the risk of ADL disability according to the level of health literacy, and the results are presented as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0.
Results
For the young-old group (65-74 years), compared with an adequate level of health literacy, the risk of ADL disability was 2.02 times (95% CI 1.20~3.42) higher in those with a marginal level, and 2.53 times (95% CI 1.54~4.16) higher in those with an inadequate level after adjusting for covariates.
Conclusion
In older adults under 75 with multimorbidity, a lower level of health literacy was associated with a higher risk of ADL disability. This highlights that health literacy is an important factor closely associated with ADL disability in older adults with multimorbidity, extending beyond the basic ability to understand and apply information.

Keyword

Activities of daily living; Aged; Health literacy; Multimorbidity