Factors Affecting to Health literacy in COVID-19 Prevention in Village Health Volunteers Huai Mek District, Kalasin Province

Abstract

 Introduction: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new strain that causes respiratory diseases. Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) are key persons to communicate with community. Health literacy in VHVs can help prevent community against COVID-19 in order to reduce health impacts and economic loss. Objective: This research aimed to study factors affecting to health literacy and prevalence of health literacy in preventing coronavirus 2019 among village health volunteers in Huai Mek District, Kalasin Province. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional analytical study. Data were collected from a sample of 564 people using questionnaires from April to May 2022. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the relationships, and adjusted odds ratio (OR_adj) , 95%CI and p-value were then presented. Result: When controlling the effect from other variables in the last equation, the factors related to health literacy in preventing COVID-19 consisted of 1) female (OR_adj= 1.93, 95%CI = 1.06-3.51, p-value = 0.031), 2) awareness of COVID-19, which was at high level (OR_adj= 6.10, 95%CI = 2.85-13.09, p-value < 0.001), and 3) family support, which was at high level (OR_adj= 6.20, 95%CI = 2.88-13.32, p-value < 0.001). In terms of health literacy in preventing COVID-19, the prevalence was 88.3% (95%CI = 85.36 - 90.71). Conclusion family support and awareness of COVID-19 prevention in VHVs should be promoted consecutively in order that they can have knowledge and ability to pass on knowledge of COVID-19 prevention to community correctly and efficiently.