Mediating role of health literacy on the relationship between educational level and contraceptive use among older women in university of nigeria nsukka, enugu state, nigeria

Abstract

The issue of contraceptive use in Nigeria is still poor and has not reversed to an extent as it has been in other countries of sub-Sahara Africa, thus underscoring the importance of research investigating factors that moderate contraceptive use. In this current study, we investigated the mediating role of health literacy on the relationship between educational level and contraceptive use among older women in University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).A cross-sectional study design was used to assess the moderating role of health literacy on contraceptive use among older women at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The Chinese version of Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) was used to describe the health literacy profile of women and collect general information on older women in the university. Data were collected by researchers through face-to-face interviews. The 220 participants were selected using a convenient sampling method which is inexpensive and with fewer rules to follow. This allowed us to select participants that were easily accessible within the four faculties. The study employed a survey logistic regression which showed that there was a significant relationship between health literacy and contraceptive use. Education was not significantly related to contraceptive use buthealth literacy plays an important role in contraceptive use among older women in this high, minority population of women at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.. Health literacy mediated the relationship between educational level and contraceptive use, showing that the association between educational level and contraceptive use was transmitted through health literacy. Educational interventions can help to increase the knowledge of available contraceptive methods and to use contraception more effectively.