Study of Health Literacy among Elderly People, Pa-Teung sub-district, Mae Chan district, Chiang Rai Province.

Abstract

Background: Currently, Thailand is changing The Living conditions and livelihoods, Changing from Communicable disease to Non - Communicable disease. In addition, The number of deaths due to Hypertension in Thailand annual 2014 found 7,115 people and tend to be increased continuously in all sectors. Similarly, The mortality rate caused by Hypertension in Chiang Rai from 2011 – 2013 found that 3.47, 17.16, 17.61 respectively. Likewise, Mae Chan district is the second highest hypertension patients from Phan district (10,301) objective: To Study levels of Health literacy among Elderly People and risk behavior for eating, Pa-Teung sub-district, Mae Chan district, Chiang Rai province.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was used in Elderly with Hypertension, Pa-Teung sub-district, Mae Chan district; 302 peoples were recruited by Stratified Sampling Technique. Demographic data of Elderly were recorded. Eating risk behavior and Health literacy were obtained by questionnaire, with a scoring range of 1-5. Content validity of the instrument was verified by three experts and Cronbach’s alpha reliability was 0.954. Data was analyzed by percentage, mean, standard deviation and Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient.

Result: Fifty-one point three percent of all subjects had higher Health literacy levels in all aspects. Elderly people had 59.3% on moderate level with risk behavior for eating. Elderly had marital status (p=0.21), dwelling (p<0.01), dwelling members (p=0.041), household income (p=0.027), education (p<0.01), occupation (p<0.01), social role (p<0.01), health status (p<0.01), risk behavior for eating(p=0.032) and physical ability (p<0.01). There was statistically significant relation to Health literacy in elderly. (p – Value ≤ 0.05 and ≤ 0.01)

Conclusion: Elderly people in Pa-Teung sub-district, Mae Chan district, Chiang Rai province are high Health literacy levels in all aspects. So, Access to suitable Health literacy development in specific elderly group is still experiencing with non-appropriated level in health literacy.