Mohamed Amine Baba

Faculty Of Medicine And Pharmacy Agadir

Title: Measuring Health Literacy in Morocco: Validation of the Moroccan Arabic HLS-EU-Q16 Questionnaire

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Biography

Prof. Mohamed Amine BABA is an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health in Agadir, Morocco, and Head of the Scientific Research Unit at the High Institute of Nursing Professions and Technical Health. He is also affiliated with research institutions at Ibn Zohr University and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC).

His academic and research interests include epidemiology, oncology, digital health, health literacy, and the application of artificial intelligence in healthcare. He has experience in clinical research, data analysis, implementation research, capacity building, and multidisciplinary health projects. Prof. BABA is committed to advancing evidence-based public health and innovative approaches to improving healthcare outcomes.

Abstract

Background: Health literacy is essential for understanding health information, navigating healthcare services, and making informed decisions about prevention and care. Linguistically and culturally appropriate measurement tools are needed to assess health literacy in Morocco and guide public health interventions.

Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Moroccan Arabic version of the 16-item European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q16).

Methods: A validation study was conducted among 460 participants in Agadir Ida-Outanane, Morocco. The HLS-EU-Q16 was adapted into Moroccan Arabic (Darija). Psychometric assessment included internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha, test–retest reliability using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and construct validity using confirmatory factor analysis.

Results: The Moroccan Arabic HLS-EU-Q16 demonstrated good internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.869, and excellent test–retest reliability, with an ICC above 0.90. Confirmatory factor analysis yielded a ?²/df ratio of 2.79, a comparative fit index of 0.940, a Tucker–Lewis index of 0.929, a standardized root mean square residual of 0.038, and a root mean square error of approximation of 0.085. These findings supported the instrument’s reliability and provided evidence of construct validity, although model fit was not uniformly optimal across all indices.

Conclusion: The Moroccan Arabic HLS-EU-Q16 shows promise as a culturally adapted instrument for assessing health literacy in Morocco. Its use could support the identification of health information needs and inform patient education and health promotion strategies. Further evaluation across diverse Moroccan populations would strengthen evidence for its broader applicability.

Keywords: Health literacy; HLS-EU-Q16; Morocco; Cross-cultural adaptation; Psychometric validation; Public health.