Table 1 The English version of European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47)

1 Very difficult; 2 Fairly Difficult; 3 Fairly Easy; 4 Very Easy

No.

HLS-EU-Q dimension

Subscale: HEALTH CARE

1 ^a

Access

…find information about symptoms of illnesses that concern you?

2

…find information on treatments of illnesses that concern you?

3 ^a

…find out what to do in case of a medical emergency?

4

…find out where to get professional help when you are ill?

(Instructions: such as doctor, pharmacist, psychologist)

5

Understand

…understand what your doctor says to you?

6 ^a

…understand the leaflets that come with your medicine?

7 ^a

…understand what to do in a medical emergency?

8

…understand your doctor’s or pharmacist’s instructions on how to take a prescribed medicine?

9

Appraise

…judge how information from your doctor applies to you?

10

…judge the advantages and disadvantages of different treatment options?

11 ^a

…judge when you may need to get a second opinion from another doctor?

12 ^a

…judge if the information about illness in the media is reliable?

(Instructions: TV, Internet or other media)

13

Apply

…use information the doctor gives you to make decisions about your illness?

14

…follow the instructions on medication?

15

…call an ambulance in an emergency?

16

…follow instructions from your doctor or pharmacist?

Subscale: DISEASE PREVENTION

17

Access

…find information about how to manage unhealthy behaviour such as smoking, low physical activity and drinking too much?

18 ^a

…find information on how to manage mental health problems like stress or depression?

19

…find information about vaccinations and health screenings that you should have?

(Instructions: breast exam, blood sugar test, blood pressure)

20

…find information on how to prevent or manage conditions like being overweight, high blood pressure or high cholesterol?

21

Understand

…understand health warnings about behaviour such as smoking, low physical activity and drinking too much?

22

…understand why you need vaccinations?

23 ^a

…understand why you need health screenings?

(Instructions: breast exam, blood sugar test, blood pressure)

24

Appraise

…judge how reliable health warnings are, such as smoking, low physical activity and drinking too much?

25

…judge when you need to go to a doctor for a check-up?

26

…judge which vaccinations you may need?

27

…judge which health screenings you should have?

(Instructions: breast exam, blood sugar test, blood pressure)

28 ^a

…judge if the information on health risks in the media is reliable?

(Instructions: TV, Internet or other media)

29

Apply

…decide if you should have a flu vaccination?

30

…decide how you can protect yourself from illness based on advice from family and friends?

31

…decide how you can protect yourself from illness based on information in the media?

(Instructions: Newspapers, leaflets, Internet or other media?)

Subscale: HEALTH PROMOTION

32

Access

…find information on healthy activities such as exercise, healthy food and nutrition?

33 ^a

…find out about activities that are good for your mental well-being?

(Instructions: meditation, exercise, walking, pilates etc.)

34 ^a

…find information on how your neighborhood could be more health-friendly?

(Instructions: Reducing noise and pollution, creating green spaces, leisure facilities)

35 ^a

…find out about political changes that may affect health?

(Instructions: legislation, new health screening programmes, changing of government, restructuring of health services etc.)

36 ^a

…find out about efforts to promote your health at work?

37

Understand

…understand advice on health from family members or friends?

38

…understand information on food packaging?

39

…understand information in the media on how to get healthier?

(Instructions: Internet, newspapers, magazines)

40

…understand information on how to keep your mind healthy

41

Appraise

…judge where your life affects your health and well-being?

(Instructions: Your community, your neighbourhood)

42 ^a

…judge how your housing conditions help you to stay healthy?

43

…judge which everyday behavior is related to your health?

(Instructions: Drinking and eating habits, exercise etc.)

44

Apply

…make decisions to improve your health?

45

…join a sports club or exercise class if you want to?

46 ^a

…influence your living conditions that affect your health and wellbeing?

(Instructions: Drinking and eating habits, exercise etc.)

47 ^a

…take part in activities that improve health and well-being in your community?