Analysis on impact factors of health literacy among female residents among 15–69 years-old in Huai’an

Abstract

Background: Health literacy refers to the ability of an individual to acquire and understand health information and use that information to maintain and promote their own health. The evaluation index of residents’ health literacy has been incorporated into the national health development plan. The outline of “healthy China 2030” plan issued and implemented by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council in 2016 clearly requires that the health literacy and lifestyle monitoring system covering the whole country should be improved and the health literacy of residents should be greatly improved. The Health literacy level should reach 20% in 2020 and 30% in 2030. Jiangsu provincial Party committee, provincial government, Huai’an Municipal Party committee and municipal government have also formulated corresponding health literacy evaluation index requirements. Main text to evaluate the distribution of health literacy and its impact factors in female residents between the ages of 15 and 69 in Huai’an city and provide the basis for establishment of comprehensive health educational strategies and measures. Methods: A cross-sectional survey method and multi-stage stratified random sampling was adopted. Residents between the ages of 15 and 69 were surveyed in Huai’an city from October till December, 2013. This research includes demographic data, such as age, gender, occupation, etc., and three dimensions of health literacy, namely, basic knowledge and concept, healthy lifestyle and behavior, and basic skills. The collected data were analyzed via X 2 -test and logistic regression. Results: The health literacy ratio standardized was 13.8% among all the 2,486 subjects. Single factor analysis showed that health literacy among female residents between the ages of 15 and 69 in urban areas was higher than rural areas, increasing with the increasing degree of cultural knowledge. In addition, the health literacy of different groups of ages, per capita annual family income and occupations were statistically significant separately (P Conclusions: The rate of health literacy standardized among female residents in Huai’an city was 13.8%. It has been at a low level for a while. Which means the health literacy intervention should be enhanced in order to comprehensively improve the health literacy condition of the female residents.