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SELECTED ASPECTS OF HEALTH LITERACY OF CLIENTS IN THE CONTEXT OF SOCIAL WORK

A. Mojzisova, D. Dvorackova

Abstract

The main goal of our article is to present partial results of a qualitative study aimed at identifying health literacy of a group of citizens of the South Bohemian Region living below poverty line. Another goal consists in describing the relation of health literacy of the poor with selected socio-demographic variables. The partial results are presented not only in the context of health care but also in the context of health and social care. Health literacy is influenced by many factors, both at individual level and at the level of the whole society. Low health literacy is a serious health-risk factor and its low level deepens undesirable health inequalities. Health literacy is related to economic and social situation, as well as to cultural level of the society. The authors consider crucial the strengthening of education of the said target group, as it would lead to improve the clients' health literacy, and they outlined the possible involvement not only of health care workers but also of health care social workers in the education. Furthermore they describe specific tools to be potentially used by social workers to intervene in strengthening the health literacy. The most health and social care providers believe to use optimum communication tools in relation to the client. This article is supported by purpose-bound funds of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences of the University of South Bohemia in ?eské Bud?jovice for the development of science and research, number: SDZ2016 (2016–2019).

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