Health literacy in migrants: the SPRINT2 project

INTRODUCTION: Migrants generally reported lower levels of health literacy (HL) thus increasing their difficulties in accessing and interacting with the healthcare system. This study, carried out within the SPRINT2 project, aims to assess the HL level of 2 samples of asylum seekers and refugees residing in Tuscany, and to examine the relationship among HL, educational interventions, COVID-19 risk perception and preventive behaviours MATERIALS AND METHODS: Questionnaires were administered to a sample of refugees and asylum seekers (group A) between June and September 2021 and to another sample between April and September 2022 (group B) which participated at least in one health-related educational intervention. The Italian version of HLS-EU-Q16 was used to measure HL RESULTS: Among 171 subjects belonging to group A 25% had an inadequate HL level. Group B consisted of 102 respondents of which 37% had an inadequate HL level. Group B compared with group A had higher percentages of respondents who considered COVID-19 a serious health problem (58.8% vs 41.1%), very likely to be infected by SARS-COV-2 (58.2% vs 29.6%) and who thought quarantine compliance (89.7% vs 75.9%), the use nasopharyngeal swabs (78.4% vs 61.2%), and to get COVID-19 vaccination (89.4% vs 66.1%) were very important preventive measures. HL was found to be significantly associated (p < 0.05) with COVID-19 risk perception and propensity for handwashing, face mask use, and social distancing. At multivariate logistic analysis, low educational level and residing in Italy for less than 2 years were found to be predictors of inadequate HL level (OR 2,7 CI 95% 1,22-6,13; OR 3,9 CI 95% 1,93-7.79, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that HL and educational interventions are important factor to improve healthy behaviours. Structured educational interventions to increase HL levels will be an important contribution in the process of inclusion and integration of migrants thus reducing health related inequalities. KEY MESSAGES: • The level of health literacy among migrants is most influenced by their educational level and length of stay in Italy. • Health literacy and educational interventions are important factor to improve healthy behaviours.