Understanding Health Literacy Among Migrants in Portugal: The Impact of Environmental Issues
Background/Objectives: The health of migrant populations is strongly influenced by social, cultural, and environmental factors. Promoting health literacy (HL) is essential to empower these populations and reduce health inequalities. We aimed to assess the perceptions and behaviors of migrants residi...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Nursing Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/1/5 |
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| author | Rosa Machado Madalena Garcia Isaura Serra Ana Lúcia João |
| author_facet | Rosa Machado Madalena Garcia Isaura Serra Ana Lúcia João |
| author_sort | Rosa Machado |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background/Objectives: The health of migrant populations is strongly influenced by social, cultural, and environmental factors. Promoting health literacy (HL) is essential to empower these populations and reduce health inequalities. We aimed to assess the perceptions and behaviors of migrants residing in a neighborhood within a municipality in the Metropolitan Area of Lisbon regarding health risks arising from environmental conditions, as well as to determine their level of health literacy. Methods: Our cross-sectional, descriptive, exploratory study used the Health Literacy Questionnaire. This study was conducted with ethical approval including a sample of 101 participants. We performed descriptive and inferential statistical analyses using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29. Results: Most participants were from Portuguese-speaking countries and reported issues with indoor humidity and inadequate thermal comfort in both hot and cold conditions. The primary environmental issues identified included stagnant water, organic waste, and deficient electrical networks. Conclusions: The results revealed precarious housing conditions and inadequate support infrastructure, posing significant environmental health risks. Data revealed low levels of health literacy across most domains assessed. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4757e3683d584a1486f2e901eaa84d74 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2039-439X 2039-4403 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nursing Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-4757e3683d584a1486f2e901eaa84d742025-01-24T13:44:26ZengMDPI AGNursing Reports2039-439X2039-44032024-12-01151510.3390/nursrep15010005Understanding Health Literacy Among Migrants in Portugal: The Impact of Environmental IssuesRosa Machado0Madalena Garcia1Isaura Serra2Ana Lúcia João3The Local Health Unit Arrábida, 2900-182 Setúbal, PortugalDepartment of Nursing, Higher School of Health, Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal, 2908-514 Setúbal, PortugalSão João de Deus School of Nursing, University of Evora, 7000-811 Evora, PortugalComprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), University of Evora, 7000-811 Evora, PortugalBackground/Objectives: The health of migrant populations is strongly influenced by social, cultural, and environmental factors. Promoting health literacy (HL) is essential to empower these populations and reduce health inequalities. We aimed to assess the perceptions and behaviors of migrants residing in a neighborhood within a municipality in the Metropolitan Area of Lisbon regarding health risks arising from environmental conditions, as well as to determine their level of health literacy. Methods: Our cross-sectional, descriptive, exploratory study used the Health Literacy Questionnaire. This study was conducted with ethical approval including a sample of 101 participants. We performed descriptive and inferential statistical analyses using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29. Results: Most participants were from Portuguese-speaking countries and reported issues with indoor humidity and inadequate thermal comfort in both hot and cold conditions. The primary environmental issues identified included stagnant water, organic waste, and deficient electrical networks. Conclusions: The results revealed precarious housing conditions and inadequate support infrastructure, posing significant environmental health risks. Data revealed low levels of health literacy across most domains assessed.https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/1/5emigrants and immigrantshealth literacysocial determinants of healthenvironmental exposureenvironmental healthpublic health nursing |
| spellingShingle | Rosa Machado Madalena Garcia Isaura Serra Ana Lúcia João Understanding Health Literacy Among Migrants in Portugal: The Impact of Environmental Issues Nursing Reports emigrants and immigrants health literacy social determinants of health environmental exposure environmental health public health nursing |
| title | Understanding Health Literacy Among Migrants in Portugal: The Impact of Environmental Issues |
| title_full | Understanding Health Literacy Among Migrants in Portugal: The Impact of Environmental Issues |
| title_fullStr | Understanding Health Literacy Among Migrants in Portugal: The Impact of Environmental Issues |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding Health Literacy Among Migrants in Portugal: The Impact of Environmental Issues |
| title_short | Understanding Health Literacy Among Migrants in Portugal: The Impact of Environmental Issues |
| title_sort | understanding health literacy among migrants in portugal the impact of environmental issues |
| topic | emigrants and immigrants health literacy social determinants of health environmental exposure environmental health public health nursing |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/1/5 |
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