The Health Literacy Questionnaire: Initial Validity Testing in a Norwegian Sample.

Area of Science:

• Health Literacy Research
• Psychometrics
• Nursing Education

Background:

• The Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) is a key tool for assessing diverse health literacy needs.
• Validation of the Norwegian version of the HLQ (N-HLQ) is necessary for its effective use in Norway.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility and construct validity of an initial version of the Norwegian HLQ (N-HLQ).
• To gather evidence supporting the N-HLQ's reliability and applicability within Norwegian populations.

Main Methods:

• A pre-test survey informed item review, followed by N-HLQ administration to 368 nursing students.
• Factor analyses (principal component analysis with oblimin rotation) were conducted on a bootstrapped sample to assess scale consistency.
• Correlations between extracted factors and original HLQ scale scores were analyzed.

Main Results:

• The pre-test survey did not necessitate item rephrasing.
• Internal consistency for the nine N-HLQ scales was high (0.72–0.81).
• Strong construct validity was observed for dimensions related to feeling understood, managing health information, and active health management. Overlap was noted between navigating healthcare systems and finding health information.

Conclusions:

• The N-HLQ demonstrated robustness, despite some overlap between specific dimensions.
• Study findings contribute to the validation evidence base for the N-HLQ in Norwegian populations.
• The N-HLQ is suitable for measuring health literacy in Norway.