Development of Health Literacy of the Elderly at Khamkrang Sub-district, Detudom District, Ubon Ratchathani Province

Abstract

The purpose of this action research was to enhance the health literacy of the elderly in Khamkhrang Sub-District, Detudom District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. There were 795 participants participated in this study. The data were collected using interviews between June and August 2020. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t-test to compare the mean of health literacy before and after conducting research. The result found that the level of adequate health literacy increased from 11.4% to 22.8%. The health literacy among elderly people increased in all aspects; cognitive (95% CI = 1.21-1.27), information access (95% CI = 0.99-1.00), communication (95% CI = 1.21-1.27), decision-making (95% CI = 1.17-1.23), self-management (95% CI = 1.31-1.33) and media literacy (95% CI = 1.13-1.23). It was statistically significant (p-value <0.001). The processes of this study consisted of varieties of activities which was consistent to the community contexts, in addition, the performance of setting goals, giving a praise and reward assists elderly people to increase theirs knowledge and skills.