Association between Sociodemographic Variables and Health Literacy Levels among İndividuals with Mental Disorders in Brazil

Background and Objectives: Health literacy refers to individuals’ abilities to find, understand, and use information to make informed decisions, crucial for the general population and particularly for those with mental disorders. To analyze the influence of sociodemographic characteristics of individuals living with mental disorders on their ability to find good health information and understand health information well enough to know what to do. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted at a Psychosocial Care Center in southern Brazil between April and October 2023, involving individuals with severe, chronic, and persistent mental disorders. The Sociodemographic and Health Conditions Questionnaire and questions from the Brazilian version of the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ), specifically scales 8 and 9, were administered. The HLQ, tested for reliability in this population, showed satisfactory internal consistency using Omega and Cronbach’s Alpha. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed. Results: The evaluated scales showed strengths for the investigated group. Scale 8 – Ability to find good health information – obtained a mean score of 3.51 (±0.82), and Scale 9 – Understanding health information well and knowing what to do – obtained a mean score of 3.57 (±0.75). Scale 8 showed statistical differences in age group (p 0.001), race/ethnicity (p=0.013), user’s education level (p 0.001), mother’s education level (p=0.003), father’s education level (p 0.001), and duration of service follow-up (p=0.012). Scale 9 showed statistical differences in age group (p=0.008), race/ethnicity (p=0.048), user’s education level (p 0.001), mother’s education level (p=0.001), father’s education level (p 0.001), and duration of service follow-up (p 0.001). Conclusion: The evidence suggests that the evaluated scales were considered strengths, influenced by age, race/ethnicity, user’s education level, mother’s and father’s education levels, and duration of service follow-up, contributing to the advancement of knowledge on the topic.