The Relationship between Health Literacy in Early Childhood Caregiving among Primary Caregivers and Children’s Nutritional Status and Development in Nursery Schools in Thawi Watthana District, Bangkok

Abstract

          This analytical cross-sectional study aimed to examine the relationship between health literacy in early childhood caregiving among primary caregivers and children’s nutritional status and developmental outcomes in nursery schools in Thawi Watthana District, Bangkok. The sample consisted of 111 pairs of primary caregivers and early childhood children, selected using simple random sampling. Research instruments included a questionnaire on caregivers’ personal characteristics, a health literacy questionnaire for early childhood caregiving among primary caregivers, and an early childhood health assessment form covering personal information, nutritional status, and child development. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including percentages, means, and standard deviations, and relationships were examined using the chi-square test.

          The results revealed that primary caregivers had a moderate level of health literacy in early childhood caregiving (mean = 3.17, S.D. = 0.04). Health literacy was significantly associated with children’s nutritional status at the 0.05 level (χ²= 95.581, p < 0.001). In addition, health literacy was significantly associated with child development at the 0.05 level (χ²= 7.358, p = 0.025). Therefore, the findings suggest that health literacy among primary caregivers and early childhood teachers should be enhanced, particularly in the areas of appraisal, decision-making, and communication skills, to improve the effectiveness of promoting children’s nutritional status and developmental outcomes. Furthermore, collaborative activities to promote nutrition and child development should be implemented in conjunction with public health service agencies and relevant organizations, with continuous monitoring and evaluation.