Relationship between Health Literacy and Self-Protection Behaviors among Village Health Volunteers after the COVID-19 Pandemic in Samet Sub-district, Mueang Chon Buri District, Chon Buri Province

Abstract

This descriptive research aimed to study the relationship between health literacy and self-protection behaviors among village health volunteers (VHVs) after the COVID-19 pandemic in Samet sub-district, Mueang Chon Buri district, Chon Buri province. All 124 individuals who continuously worked after the post-COVID-19 pandemic were recruited using the multi-stage random sampling technique. The research tool was a questionnaire to gather data.  Data were performed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, median, minimum, and maximum. Also, data were analyzed using inferential statistics, including Pearson's correlation and the chi-square test. The results showed that the overall level of health literacy was very good at about 80.0% (=55.7, S.D.=4.0). Cognitive skills were found to be at the most correct level, around 86.0% (=55.7, S.D.=4.0). Access to health information and health services was rated at a good level, approximately 75.5% (=11.3, S.D.=0.6). Communication skills, media literacy, and self-management skills were at a very good level, representing 90.6% (=13.6, S.D.=1.3), 82.9% (=12.4, S.D.=1.7), and 81.2% (=12.1, S.D.=1.4), respectively. However, decision-making skills were found to be at an incorrect level, around 45.2% (=1.8, S.D.=1.0). Self-protection behaviors during and after the COVID-19 pandemic were at a good level, representing 76.6% (=38.3, S.D.=3.6) and 78.5% (=39.2, S.D.=3.1), respectively. Moreover, overall health literacy was significantly correlated with self-protection behaviors after the COVID-19 pandemic (r = 0.445, p-value<0.01). Personal factors, health literacy in self-management, and decision-making skills were not correlated with self-protection behaviors after the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, there should be a campaign to enhance the health literacy of VHVs and their media and communication skills. Their skills are crucial for the appropriate self-protection behaviors of VHVs at work.