Clarke, Nicholas and Dunne, Simon and Coffey, Laura and Sharp, Linda and Desmond, Deirdre and O’Conner, Jean and O’Sullivan, Eleanor and Timon, Conrad and Cullen, Claire and Gallagher, Pamela (2021) Health literacy impacts self-management, quality of life and fear of recurrence in head and neck cancer survivors. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 15 (6). pp. 855-865. ISSN 1932-2259

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Abstract

Purpose Little is known about whether health literacy is associated with affects certain key outcomes in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors. We investigated (i) the socio-demographic and clinical profile of health literacy and (ii) associations among between health literacy and self-management behaviours, health-related quality of life (HRQL) and fear of recurrence (FoR) in HNC survivors. Methods A population-based survey was conducted in Ireland. Health literacy was assessed using a validated single-item question. Socio-demographic, clinical and psychosocial outcome variables (FoR, self-management behaviours, HRQL) were collected. Multivariable linear regression was performed to estimate associations between health literacy and each psychosocial outcome. Results Three hundred ninety-five (50%) individuals responded to the survey. Inadequate health literacy was evident among 47% of the sample. In adjusted models, HNC survivors with inadequate health literacy had significantly lower levels of self-management behaviours in the domains of health-directed behaviour, positive and active engagement in life, self-monitoring and insight, constructive attitudes and approaches and skills and technique acquisition. Inadequate health literacy was independently associated with lower functional well-being and HNC disease-specific HRQL. FoR was also significantly higher among those with inadequate health literacy. Conclusions HNC survivors with inadequate health literacy have lower levels of self-management behaviours, lower functional HRQL and increased FoR compared to those with adequate health literacy. Implications for Cancer Survivors Clinicians, healthcare providers and those developing interventions should consider how inadequate health literacy among HNC survivors might affect post-treatment outcomes when developing services and providing support for this group

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Cite as: Clarke, N., Dunne, S., Coffey, L. et al. Health literacy impacts self-management, quality of life and fear of recurrence in head and neck cancer survivors. J Cancer Surviv 15, 855–865 (2021). https://doi-org.may.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s11764-020-00978-5
Keywords:	Head and neck cancer . Health literacy . Health-related quality of life; Fear of recurrence; Psycho-oncology; Self-management;
Academic Unit:	Assisting Living & Learning,ALL institute Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology
Item ID:	16309
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-020-00978-5
Depositing User:	Dr. Deirdre Desmond
Date Deposited:	13 Jul 2022 10:33
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of Cancer Survivorship
Publisher:	Springer link
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	Publisher
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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