Factors Associated with the Health Literacy for Disease Prevention and Control of Village Health Volunteers in Kanchanaburi Municipality Area, Kanchanaburi Province

Abstract

Objective : To study factors associated with health literacy for disease prevention and control among Village health volunteers (VHVs) in Kanchanaburi Municipality, Kanchanaburi Province.

Methods : This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among VHVs working in 27 communities in 2023. The sample was randomly selected by one-stage cluster sampling in 17 communities, totaling 198 people. Data were collected using a health literacy assessment form for disease prevention and control for public health personnel stipulated by the Bureau of Risk Communication and Health Behavior Development, Department of Disease Control of which a reliability was 0.93. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ordinal logistic regression analysis.

Results : The mean health literacy for disease prevention and control of all skills was at the problematic level (58.3±9.4 points). For each skill, understanding and applying skills were sufficient. Access, questioning, and decision-making skills were problematic. A factor associated with health literacy was education. Controlled for gender, a diploma degree or higher had higher health literacy than primary school (adjusted OR=2.54, 95% CI: 1.22-5.29).

Conclusion : Strategies to enhance health literacy for disease prevention and control among VHVs in Kanchanaburi Municipality, the hospital should emphasize access, questioning, and decision-making skills and take educational factors into account when designing activities.