Health literacy in individuals with fibromyalgia and its associations with dietary supplements and determinants of health: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that has a considerable impact on the quality of life of the individuals living with the disease. There is reason to believe that the fibromyalgia population is a group that is particularly exposed to targeted advertising for dietary supplements that claim to prevent and soothe disease activity and pain. Research has shown that many individuals with chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia, have lower health literacy than the general population. This might make it more challenging for them to seek out and critically evaluate health information.

Objective: The aim of this master’s thesis is to examine the health literacy of individuals with fibromyalgia and evaluate the associations between health literacy and self-reported health, health-related behaviour, use of, sources of information about, and knowledge of dietary supplements.

Method: A cross-sectional survey was distributed electronically to all members of the Norwegian Fibromyalgia Association aged >18. The health literacy of the participants was evaluated using the HLS-Q12. Sociodemographic measures were analysed through t-tests and ANOVA. The association between health literacy and potential predictors were evaluated through hierarchical multiple regression analysis.

Results and conclusion: Our results indicated that the study participants had lower health literacy than the Norwegian population in general. The analysis suggests a significant association between a high level of health literacy and high self-reported knowledge of dietary supplements and good self-reported health. Good health-related behaviour was linked to a statistical trend towards a higher level of health literacy. A substantial number of the participants used dietary supplements, and information about dietary supplements was primarily acquired from reliable sources, such as doctors, health authorities and pharmacies. The results of the study could create awareness of the state of health literacy in individuals with fibromyalgia and could assist health personnel in planning an appropriate communicative approach when treating individuals with fibromyalgia.