ความรอบรู้ด้านสุขภาพและพฤติกรรมสุขภาพของอาสาสมัครสาธารณสุขประจำ หมู่บ้านในอำเภอปากพลี จังหวัดนครนายก

Sookruedee  Thutsaringkarnsakul

Authors

Sookruedee Thutsaringkarnsakul Police Nursing College, Police General Hospital, Royal Thai Police

Keywords:

health literacy, health behavior, village health volunteers

Abstract

This research was a descriptive study aimed at examining the health literacy and health behaviors of Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) in Pak Plee District, Nakhon Nayok Province. A total of 222 VHVs aged 18 to 59 years were selected for the study through simple random sampling. The research instruments were health literacy and health behavior assessment tools. The reliability of the instruments was measured using Cronbach’s alpha coefficients, which were .91 and .82, respectively. Data were collected through surveys and analyzed using descriptive statistics.

The results showed that the average health literacy score of Village Health Volunteers in Pak Plee District, Nakhon Nayok Province, was at a good level (M = 63.63, SD = 8.30). When considering the average scores in each area, the skills of accessing health information and services and the skills of applying health information and services were rated at very high levels (M = 16.36, SD = 2.28; M = 16.09, SD = 2.18). Additionally, the skills of understanding health information and services and decision-making skills regarding health information and services were rated at good levels (M = 15.83, SD = 2.43; M = 15.34, SD = 2.89). The average score of health behaviors was at a good level (M = 84.65, SD = 9.92). When appraising the average scores in each area, smoking and alcohol consumption behaviors were rated at very high levels (M = 8.98, SD = 1.80; M = 4.64, SD = .83). Furthermore, food consumption, stress management behaviors, and health behaviors for COVID-19 prevention were rated at good levels (M = 22.45, SD = 3.71; M = 7.95, SD = 1.84; M = 33.82, SD = 6.38). However, exercise behavior was rated at a fair level (M = 6.80, SD = 1.76).

Thus, healthcare providers and relevant government agencies should further develop the health literacy of Village Health Volunteers, for example, through training programs to enhance the necessary knowledge and skills required to improve their capacity to effectively care for their own health and that of the community.

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