Health literacy and non-communicable disease knowledge of pregnant women and mothers in Tasmania: Qualitative exploration

The World Health Organisation is prioritising health literacy development to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Empowering pregnant women and mothers through health literacy development may help to reduce the intergenerational impact of NCDs. However, significant gaps exist in understanding the health literacy needs of this priority population globally. This study aimed to qualitatively explore the health literacy strengths and challenges as well as NCDs knowledge and beliefs of pregnant women and mothers with young children (0-8 years) in Tasmania. Data were collected online using in-depth semi-structured interviews and analysed inductively using reflexive thematic analysis. Twenty women (mean age 35.5 years, standard deviation 5.13) participated. Four parent themes were generated from the data: perceived knowledge and awareness of NCDs and their causative factors; social determinants of health and the surrounding environment; social networks and peer support as health navigator; and trust in health services and social connections. These themes highlighted diverse factors that influenced the participant's access and use of health information and services and their engagement in healthy lifestyle practices and active health management. Participants demonstrated good knowledge and awareness about NCDs and associated risk factors but experienced numerous health literacy strengths and challenges which influenced their access to health care and engagement in healthy lifestyle practices. This study highlights the need to address the diverse health literacy needs of pregnant women and mothers through codesigning locally informed health literacy development strategies combined with the creation of enabling service environments to reduce the growing burden of NCDs.