Journal of clinical medicine
Perception of Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic Risk and Health Literacy in Women: Quantitative and Qualitative Insights into Lifestyle and Prevention
By Bilajac L, Glavić MM, Belančić A and 5 others.
Abstract
Background
Women experience unique biological and life-course determinants of cardio-kidney-metabolic (CKM) health, yet the relationship between health literacy, CKM risk awareness, and preventive lifestyle behaviors remains poorly understood. We aimed to examine health literacy, CKM risk awareness, and Mediterranean diet adherence among women across different stages of adulthood and to qualitatively explore barriers and facilitators influencing the translation of health knowledge into preventive behaviors.
Methods
We conducted a convergent mixed-methods study involving 198 women aged ≥18 years who completed a web-based questionnaire assessing health literacy, CKM risk awareness, Mediterranean diet adherence, and sociodemographic characteristics. Quantitative data were compared between women aged ≤50 years and >50 years using appropriate statistical tests. Two focus groups involving 14 women aged >50 years underwent inductive thematic analysis to explore perceptions of CKM health and preventive lifestyle behaviors.