Development and application of a tool to measure hearing health literacy of young people in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Background A reliable and valid tool to assess hearing health literacy in Iranian young people is lacking. Aims This study aimed to develop a tool to assess the hearing health literacy of young people in the Islamic Republic of Iran and to use the tool to determine the hearing health literacy of a sample of Iranians aged 12-25 years. Methods A questionnaire was designed with three skill sections: obtaining health information, evaluating this information and applying it to benefit health. The validity and reliability of the tool were determined. Cluster sampling was used to select 50 urban clusters across the country from which 5000 Iranians aged between 12-25 years old were selected to complete the questionnaire. Results The final questionnaire had 22 items with scores ranging from 22 to 44. The Cronbach alpha was 0.65, and content validity ratio and index were 0.92 and 0.82, respectively. Of the 5000 questionnaires completed, 4890 were included in the analysis. The mean (standard deviation (SD)) age of the participants was 17 (SD 3) years and 45.9% were males. The mean score on the tool was 30.81 (SD 3.75), indicating inadequate health literacy (score 22-36). Only 137 (2.8%) participants had adequate health literacy (score 37-44). Statistically significant differences in mean hearing health literacy were seen for sex, age, years of education, occupation, marital status and income (P < 0.05). Conclusions Given the low level of hearing health literacy in Iranian young people, programmes to improve the ear and hearing health literacy are urgently needed.