Relationships between Health Literacy and Health Promotion Behaviors of Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy in HRH Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center

Abstract

     The purposes of this survey research were: (1) to study the level of health literacy about health promotion behaviors of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy; (2) to study the relationship between personal factors and health literacy; and (3) to study the relationship between health literacy and health promotion behaviors of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center. Data were collected from 216 people using a questionnaire tested for tool quality. The samples were selected using a specific selection method based on the sample's incusion criteria. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics for number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Chi square, Fisher’s exact test and Pearson's correlation coefficient.

     The results showed that: (1) the overall level of health literacy about the health promoting behaviors of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy was 38.9 percent; (2) personal factors including  gender, age, religion education level, marital status, career, average monthly income, and family history of cancer did not correlate with the level of health literacy; and (3)health literacy was a moderately significant positive correlation with the health promoting behaviors of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Increasing opportunities for accessing information and health services help to improve level of health literacy. The health facilities should provide accessible information with effective communication  processes, provide health education, and also develop accurate and reliable health media in order to promote healthy behaviors of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.