Table 2

Number (per cent) of athletes with sufficient MS health literacy (LiMP score ≥6; total score and subtheme scores) displayed by age group and socioeconomic standing (Human Development Index (HDI) category (n=780))

LiMP score according to socioeconomic standing (HDI)Youth athletes, n (%)Adult athletes, n (%)All athletes, n (%)P valueφ
Total score
 Low2 (4)3 (10)5 (7)0.369*
 Medium-high33 (15)33 (30)66 (20)0.0010.18
 Very high17 (19)105 (50)122 (41)<0.0010.29
 All categories55 (13)147 (41)202 (26)<0.0010.31
Anatomy/terminology
 Low25 (54)17 (59)42 (56)0.901
 Medium-high128 (56)78 (72)206 (61)0.0110.14
 Very high42 (46)179 (86)221 (74)<0.0010.41
 All categories226 (54)288 (80)514 (66)<0.0010.27
Musculoskeletal conditions
 Low6 (13)6 (21)12 (16)0.519*
 Medium-high71 (31)48 (44)119 (35)0.0300.12
 Very high21 (23)114 (55)135 (45)<0.0010.29
 All categories106 (25)178 (49)284 (36)<0.0010.24
Diagnosis/treatment
 Low6 (13)6 (21)12 (16)0.519*
 Medium-high45 (20)33 (30)78 (23)0.0470.11
 Very high28 (31)99 (48)127 (42)0.0100.15
 All HDI categories84 (20)144 (40)228 (29)<0.0010.21
  • Differences between youth and adult athletes are shown (p value for χ2 test with φ as the effect size measure). HDI category: low, <0.55; medium-high, 0.55–0.79; very high, ≥0.80.

  • *Fisher’s exact test.

  • LiMP, Literacy in Musculoskeletal Problems; MS, musculoskeletal.