Effects of a health literacy enhancement program among people living with HIV/AIDS at Dok Kham Tai Hospital, Phayao Province
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/taj.2025.7Keywords:
health literacy program, people living with HIV/AIDS, Phayao ProvinceAbstract
This quasi-experimental study employed a one-group pretest-posttest design to examine the effects of health literacy enhancement program among people living with HIV/AIDS at Dok Kham Tai hospital between August and December 2024. The study sample consisted of 30 purposively selected individuals living with HIV/AIDS who were receiving outpatient antiretroviral therapy and had a viral load of more than 20 copies/mL. The intervention followed the Ministry of Public Health’s HIV & STIs Literacy model, which comprises five key activities: (1) skills training in information access, (2) skills training in comprehension, (3) skills training in inquiry, (4) skills training in decision-making, and (5) skills training in practical application. These activities were delivered through educational sessions, ongoing follow-ups, and motivational support to encourage behavioral change. Data were collected after a 5-week follow-up using a were collected using a demographic questionnaire and the HIV Health Literacy Test (HIV-HLT). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t-tests. Results showed that after the implementation of the health literacy enhancement program, the mean health literacy score of the participants was significantly higher than before the intervention (p<001). In conclusion, the health literacy enhancement program significantly improved health literacy levels among people living with HIV/AIDS, which in turn contributed to positive changes in health behaviors. Continuous promotion of and ongoing monitoring of health behavior changes among people living with HIV/AIDS are recommended.
Downloads
References
HIV Info HUB. Fact sheet: the HIV situation in Thailand in 2023 [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 Dec 23]. Available from: https://hivhub.ddc.moph.go.th/officer/report.php (in Thai)
Ruxrungtham K, Chokephaibulkit K, Chetchotisakd P, Chariyalertsak S, Kiertburanakul S, Putacharoen O, et al. Thailand national guidelines on HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention 2017 [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 Dec 23]. Available from: https://www.ddc.moph.go.th/das/forecast_detail.php?publish=12810&deptcode=das (in Thai)
Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health. Annual report of Bureau of AIDS TB and STIs 2017 [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2024 Dec 23]. Available from: https://ddc.moph.go.th/uploads/publish/1039120200818064231.pdf (in Thai)
World Health Organization Health promotion glossary. Geneva: World Health Organization; 1998.
Namwong T, Khampat S, Pratchayakhup P. Prevalence rate and factors associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among adolescent, Yasothon, Thailand. Thai AIDS Journal. 2019;31(3):116-24. (in Thai)
Gakumo CA, Enah CC, Vance DE, Sahinoglu E, Raper JL. “Keep it simple”: older African Americans preferences for a health literacy intervention in HIV management. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2015;29:9:217-23.
Kumkrong C, Maneesriwongul W, Janpanish P. Relationships of health literacy and knowledge about antiretroviral therapy to medication adherence among people living with HIV. Kuakarun Journal of Nursing. 2014;21(2):211-28. (in Thai)
Dok Kham Tai Hospital. Report on HIV/AIDS patients at Dok Kham Tai Hospital. Phayao: Dok Kham Tai Hospital; 2024. (in Thai)
Polit DF, Beck CT. Nursing research: principles and methods. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2004.
Bunman S, Wannapaschaiyong P, Saiyasalee S, Pornma K. Health literacy among individuals living with HIV. The Bangkok Medical Journal [internet]. 2022 [cited 2024 Dec 2];18(1):65-8. Available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/bkkmedj/article/view/256074 (in Thai)
Division of AIDS and STIs. HIV&STIs literacy. Nonthaburi: Division of AIDS and STIs; 2020. (in Thai)
Yuktanon P, Kanthamala L, U-thit P. HIV/AIDS treatment Literacy. Nonthaburi: Bureau of TB Bureau of AIDS and STIs; 2011. (in Thai)
Salalux P, Tiparat W. The effects of enhancing health literacy program on health literacy and fall prevention behaviors among caregivers of older adults at risk in Trang Municipality. Journal of Nursing and Education. 2022;15(2):1-13. (in Thai)
Yingdamnun P. The effects of a health literacy and health behaviors program for older adults in Phra Phutthabat Municipality, Saraburi Province. Journal of Health Sciences and Pedagogy. 2024;4(2):43-57. (in Thai)
Khukaeo R, Raksilp M. Effects of the health literacy promotion program on health viewing behavior of the elderly type 2 diabetes, Kut Khao Pun District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. UBRU Journal for Public Health Research [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 Dec 23];13(1):99-112. Available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ubruphjou/article/view/266396 (in Thai)
Choeisuwan V. Health literacy: concept and application for nursing practice. Royal Thai Navy Medical Journal. 2017;44(3):183-97. (in Thai)
Thaworn A, Samruayruen K. The effectiveness of health literacy program on self-care behavior among hypertensive patients, Tambon Aranyik Health Promotion Hospital, Mueang District, Phitsanulok Province. EAU Heritage Journal Science and Technology. 2022;16(1):65-77. (in Thai)
