Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Testing health literacy skills in older Korean adults
Tae Wha Lee1, Soo Jin Kang, Han Joo Lee
1Department of Nursing Environments & Systems, Nursing Policy Research Institute, College of Nursing, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. twlee5@yuhs.ac
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to develop a valid and reliable screening test for limited health literacy for older Korean adults.
Methods:
A pool of 102 items was generated based on empirical referents, which, after expert review, field study, and content validity, was reduced to 29 items with three subscales. Construct validity and reliability were established using a convenience sample of 411 community dwelling elderly participants and exploratory factor analysis, and Cronbach's alpha was employed. Rasch analysis was also performed to assess the unidimensionality of the construct and item adequacy.
Results:
Rasch analysis showed that the scale was unidimensional and the majority of the items demonstrated good fit. The final instrument, the Korean Health Literacy Scale (KHLS), is a 24-item questionnaire containing short passages, pictures, and graphs with multiple-choice answer format, with an internal consistency of .891. There are 13 comprehension and numeracy questions and 11 questions about health-related terms; the test requires 15-20min for administration.
Conclusion:
KHLS is culturally suitable as a screening test for limited literacy for older Korean adults in the community.
Practice Implications:
Korean investigators now have a validated health literacy tool for research with elderly participants.
Related Concept Videos
Health Literacy
Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion
