The impact of health literacy on knowledge, Attitude and decision towards hospice care among community-dwelling seniors

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between health literacy and hospice knowledge, attitude and decision in community-dwelling elderly participants. This cross-sectional study enrolled 990 community-dwelling elderly participants in three residential areas, with a mean age of 71.53 ± 7.22 years. Health literacy was assessed using the Mandarin version of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire. Knowledge, attitude and decision towards hospice care were assessed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Partial least squares were used for data analysis. More than half of the respondents had sufficient knowledge of hospice care (60.7%) and a positive attitude (77.3%) and positive decision (85%) towards hospice care. In the structural equation model, general health literacy positively predicted knowledge (β = 0.73, p <0.001), attitude (β = 0.06, p = 0.038) and decision (β = 0.14, p < 0.001) towards hospice care. General health literacy had a greater overall effect on hospice decision (β = 0.57) than hospice knowledge (β = 0.54). In addition, disease prevention health literacy also demonstrated a higher level of influence on hospice decision (β = 0.59) than hospice knowledge (β = 0.53). Health literacy was associated with hospice knowledge, attitude and decision. Incorporating health literacy interventions into hospice promotion strategies is recommended.