Title: Health Literacy as a Precursor to Functional Health in Nigeria: Challenges and the Way Forward
Author(s): Moses I. Ode, Mathias Adejo, Mary Ehi Adadu
Publication Year: 2021; Volume 16, Issue 3, pages 102-116

This paper discusses health literacy as the level to which individuals can obtain process, understand, evaluate and act upon information needed to make public health decisions. It examines the dimensions of health literacy to include cultural knowledge, listening, speaking, arithmetical, writing and reading skills as fundamental to health literacy. It discusses the problems of low health literacy shown in the limited ability to receive, interpret and understand the primary health services and information necessary for proper decision-making about health matters. Health information was discussed as the bedrock of health literacy as it empowers patients to take control and improve their quality of life and serves as a crucial resource that empowers people to take good decisions to enhance their health and well-being. Challenges facing health provision were identified to be inadequate human resources and inadequate funding among others. In conclusion, the more health literate an individual becomes, the healthier will the individual be. The paper recommends that medical libraries should be established in all health institutions in Nigeria. Health professionals/Librarians should be trained with requisite knowledge and skills to handle health information provision and delivery to meet information needs of patients among others. If proactive actions are taken by the authorities concerned to surmount the challenges, health information will be provided for people to enjoy functional health.