Effectiveness of the Operation of Health Literate School among School-age Children in Health Region 9

Abstract

The purposes of this evaluation research were to examine the effectiveness of health literate schools and to investigate the relationships between health literacy and health expectancy behaviors among school-age children. Samples were 8,217 students from 125 schools in health region 9 studying in the 4^th through the 9^th years. Instruments were health literacy and health expectancy behavior questionnaire and nutritional assessment of school children developed by the Department of Health in 2021. Data were collected online during June 2021 and December 2022. Statistical analyses were conducted using descriptive statistics including frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations and inferential statistics using multiple linear regression. 

Results: There were 8,217 school children (664 students from the 2021 academic year and 7,553 students from the 2022 academic year). There were positive increases in height-for-age and weight-for-height, from 59.6% in 2021 to 63.5% in 2022. Wasted and stunted individuals had a tendency to decrease with wasted percent being 5.0% in 2021 and 4.8% in 2022, while stunted percent of 9.3% in 2021 and 4.8% in 2022. Health literacy and health expectancy behaviors also increased with health literacy was at a very good level and improved from 61.6% in 2021 to 63.6% in 2022. Health expectancy behaviors was at a very good level and improved from 57.6% in 2021 to 62.1% in 2022. There was a significant correlation between health literacy and health expectancy behaviors (p<0.001). Multiple regression showed that an increase of 1 point in health literacy could predict a 0.89-point increase in health expectancy behaviors.

Conclusion: Health literate school had a positive impact on nutritional status, health literacy and appropriated health behaviors in school children and should be promoted.