The Relationship between Health Literacy and Work Behavior among Agriculturists in Shallow Groundwater Wells: A Case Study in Sub-district Khontee, Mueang District, Kamphaeng Phet Province

Abstract

This research was mixed-methods research. The Objectives of this research were to study the relation between health literacy and behavioral work in shallow groundwater wells and to set an appropriate measure of work in confined spaces. The samples included 28 agriculturists from Moo 12, Kon Tee Sub-district, Muang District, Kamphaeng Phet Province, who were 18-60 years old, with purposive sampling from each of the 28 individuals. The research instruments were a health literacy questionnaire, a behavioral questionnaire, and a focus group record form. The reliability of the health literacy questionnaire was 0.87. Data were collected from January to June 2021. Quantitative data analysis was applied to include percentages, means, and standard deviations, and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation was used to assess the relationship between health literacy and health behavior. The qualitative data was analyzed to answers analysis and behavioral observations. The results of this research were as follows: the samples consisted of 22 males (78.50%) and 6 females (21.40%), with an average age of 40.44 years (S.D. ±7.19). An occupational accident during groundwater well operations resulted in the deaths of three workers. Groundwater well workers still lack knowledge of safe work practices during operations. The health literacy was at an adequate level (78.30%), and desirable health behavior was at a low level. Some workers have limited access to occupational safety information. The result shows a statistically significant relationship between health literacy and health behavior (r = 0.52; p-value = 0.011). The research sub-district administrative organization officials’ suggestions supported the information access on how to be safe in collecting data in shallow groundwater of confined spaces and aligning the position of the watchman in front of the entrance of wells all the time.