Health literacy of middle-aged women living in Tanote Sub-district, Nonsung District, Nakhonratchasima Province, Thailand

Abstract

Objectives: Purpose was to describe relationships between demographic characteristics and Health literacy in middle-age women 40-60 years old, living in Tanote sub-district, Nonsung district, Nakhonratchasima province, Thailand. In sample size 220. Data were collected using Health literacy interview. In this cross-sectional survey. Result: Most sample had low health literacy 50.4 %, Poor health literacy 19.1 %, Good health literacy 23.2 %, and Very good health literacy 16.0 %. In the cognitive of health most sample had good-level (73.1%), But half of the sample had access to health information, health communication and Management of health conditions in low-level (55.0%, 54.1% and 49.5%) respectively. And more than half of sample (66.4%) had low-level in be aware the media and decided to practice. Demographic factors has a significant associated to health literacy include: education level, occupation and income. The sample who had higher than the primary school were associated with an increase health literacy score 4.99 point, when compared with primary school group. (B = 4.99, 95%CI = 0.26-9.72, P-value = 0.04) Bureaucrat were associated with an increase in the health literacy scores 14.96 points compared to agriculture.(B = 14.96, 95%CI = 3.09-26.82, P-value = 0.01) But income related to decrease health literacy scores. Sample with income of 7000 baht or more has decrease 5.54 points of health literacy scores when compared with income below 7000 baht. And the variables none significant relationship were the marital status, merchant and Congenital disease. By who had couple associated with the increase health literacy score 3.73 point. Merchant correlated with the decrease health literacy score 4.72 point when compared with agriculture. Congenital disease correlated with an increase 1.12 point of health literacy scores. Compared with no disease. Conclusion: Middle-aged women more than half Low level of health literacy. Which It is necessary to be stimulated in health literacy. Especially in the access to health information and be aware the media. In order to the samples were analyzed from the media. To select good and accurate information to practice in order to achieve good health.