Health Literacy Among Adult Patients with Chronic Diseases in Sabah: HLS-Sabah

Health literacy (HL) sets on the ability and motivation of individuals to appraise, understand, access, utilise information in ways that promote maintain good health. Poorer health outcomes incurs higher healthcare expenditures can be cause limited HL. Sabah public facilities conducted a cross-sectional study between February October 2020. A 12-item Short-Form Literacy Survey (HLS-SF12) comprising three domains (healthcare, disease prevention, promotion) was used measure The HL index score categorised as ‘limited’ (0 – 33), ‘sufficient’ (>33 42), ‘excellent’ (>42 50). Among 337 patients recruited, half were male (51%) with mean age 52.6 ± 12.3. top 3 comorbid hypertension (84.6%), dyslipidaemia (58.2%), diabetes mellitus (47.8%). mainly accessed from television smartphones (75.1%), radio median 31.94 (IQR 25 37.5), 54.6% having lowest found 11 10 13) 8 7 9) when judging information. associated age, educational level, household income, insurance ownership, accessing smartphone or computer. In Sabah, level observed need tailor interventional programmes vulnerable groups. Digital platforms shouldbe enhanced disseminating health-related educating critical judgement skills.