The Health Literacy, Knowledge, Awareness, and Behaviors Related to Hypertension and Obesity Among Residents of Côte d'Ivoire

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K19768
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 58080:Gerontological nursing and community health nursing-related
• Research Institution: 湘南医療大学 (2022-2023); Yokohama City University (2019-2021)
• Principal Investigator: USUI Rui 湘南医療大学, 臨床医学研究所, 客員研究員 (80805549)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 肥満 / コートジボワール / ヘルスリテラシー / 非感染性疾患

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To investigate the prevalence of obesity and health literacy among market merchants in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, a complete enumeration survey was conducted in Market A. The survey included measurements of height and body weight, as well as questions regarding weight perception and behaviors for weight management. Health literacy was assessed using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ).
Results showed that among the 823 female merchants in the target market, 30% were obese, and of these, 82% underestimated their weight. It was demonstrated that obesity was associated with two out of the nine HLQ domains. Additionally, it was revealed that obese individuals lacked accurate weight perception and did not consume meals more than three times a day.

Free Research Field

国際保健

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の学術的意義は、アビジャン商人の肥満の現状およびヘルスリテラシー（HLQ）の2領域との関連を明らかにし、肥満と体重認識と食事習慣との関連を再確認したことにある。社会的意義としては、本研究成果はアビジャンにおける肥満対策、延いては非感染性疾患対策へ知見の提供をすることができる。特に市場商人は同国の働く女性の半数を占めることから、女性の健康増進プログラムを検討する際の貢献が期待できる。