The effect of health literacy enhancement program on Aedes–Borne disease prevention behavior of the household leaders in Pathum Thani province

Abstract

The objective of this quasi – experimental research was to assess the effect of health literacy enhancement program on Aedes – borne disease prevention behavior of the household leaders in Pathum Thani province. The one-group pretest-posttest experimental design was conducted among 45 household leaders. Face-to-face interview  and Aedes larval survey were performed to collect data. Data were analyzed by using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, paired sample t – test at 5% significance levelwere applied to measure the program effect. Results revealed that after participating in the program, most participants had high level of health literacy on Aedes-bone diseases prevention (75.6%). Component analysis showed most of participants had high skill of information access (60.0%), and all of them had high level of understanding skill (100%) and communication and questioning skill (100%). The majority had decision making skill at moderate level (51.1%), self-management skill at high level (75.6%), and Aedes-borne diseases prevention skill was at high level (75.6%). The result revealed that mean scores of health literacy on Aedes-borne diseases prevention skill after receiving the program was higher than those before receiving the program at a significance level of 0.05. Consequently, percentage of house index (HI) and container index (CI) were decreased to 17.78% and 3.37%, respectively. To minimize the risk of Aedes-borne diseases, strengthening the household leaders on decision-making skill and the appropriate measures to eradicate breeding sites, to allocate time to investigate Aedes mosquito breeding, and to practice Aedes-borne diseases prevention measure regularly by focus on the 3 recommended advices which includes keep the house clean, close water container with lid, and pick up trash.