Factors associated with health literacy among Thai people aged 15 and above in the 10th health region

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the situation of health literacy and the relationship between relevant factors and health literacy among Thai people age 15 and above in the 10th health Region. Secondary data collection was from the Thai Health Literacy Survey (THL-S) of Thais age 15 years and above, 2019. The selected population in this study was Thai citizens aged 15 years and above who lived in Health District 10. A total of 1,867 participants were recruited using stratified three-stage sampling. The situation of health literacy was described using descriptive statistics. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a statistically significant association between relevant factors and inadequate health literacy. The study results show that 35.2% of Thai citizens aged 15 years and above had inadequate health literacy. The average health literacy score was 83.94 (SD.=22.17). Most Thai citizens aged 15 years and above with insufficiently health literacy were found in the following populations, namely, those who had no community role 84.60%, primary school 77.59%, not good at writing 54.73%, 60 years old and older 53.35%, insufficient income 52.3%, and those who not good at reading 48.63%. Factors that had statistically significant association with inadequate health literacy (p<0.05) where those who were 60 years old and older (OR_adj.=4.4, 95%CI=1.64-12.01,p=0.003), unable to write (OR_adj.=4.1, 95%CI=1.55-11.05,p=0.005), not good at writing (OR_adj.=2.2, 95%CI=1.17-4.21,p=0.014), Primary School (OR_adj.=8.4, 95%CI=1.85-38.40, p=0.006), no community role (OR_adj.=1.9, 95%CI=1.39-2.65, p<0.001), and those who did not receive health information from the television (OR_adj.=1.8, 95%CI=1.39-2.44 ,p<0.001), from the internet (OR_adj.=2.6, 95%CI=1.38-4.95 ,p=0.003), from the VHV/FV (OR_adj.=1.9, 95%CI=1.43-2.60, p<0.001) and from community announcement (OR_adj.=1.6, 95%CI=1.22-2.19, p=0.001). Health literacy affects health outcomes. The people who have low health literacy will affect the assessment of health data, access to health services, and self-management for health. Therefore, the relevant organization should be focusing on individual health literacy.