Health Literacy and Health Behaviors According to National Health Recommendation Among Novice in Buddhist Scripture School, Pua District, Nan Province.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to study health literacy and health behaviors based on the National Health Commandments, and the association between health literacy and health behaviors based on the National Health Commandments. The study involved 162 novices in grades 1-3 attended Phrapariyattidham Wat Prang School and Wat Phuket Temple School in Pua District, Nan Province, during the 2019 academic year. Data were collected during May 2019 to April 2020 using self–administered questionnaires developed from the Health Literacy and Health Behavior Assessment Form established originally by Health Education Division, Department of Health Service Support, Ministry of Public Health, updated version 2018. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data, and Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to examine the correlation.

The findings of this study revealed that novices had very good health literacy according to National Health Commandments (66.67%). Considering each component was found to be the very good level. Most of novices had health behaviors according to the National Health Commandments at a very good level (77.78%). The findings indicated that the health behavior was significantly positively associated with overall health literacy regarding to the National Health Commandments (r = 0.322, p < 0.01). Therefore, the information obtained from this study can be used by the relevant agencies as a policy guideline and action plan to improve health literacy and health behaviors for the novice group in accordance with the National Health Commandments.

Keywords: Health literacy; Health behaviors; National Health Commandments; Novice; Buddhist Scripture School