The factors associated with health literacy in the prevention of tuberculosis among village health volunteers in Kalasin Province

Abstract

Tuberculosis is a contagious disease and a global public health problem. It has been designated as a strategic priority in Thailand's infectious disease control plan. In Kalasin Province, the number of registered TB patients has not yet reached the target of 90%, and proactive prevention and control efforts rely on the mechanism of Village Health Volunteers (VHVs). This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to survey the level and factors associated with health literacy in Tuberculosis prevention among 200 VHVs in Kalasin Province. Data were collected using a questionnaire adapted from a standard tool. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square analysis were used for data analysis, with a statistical significance level set at 0.05. The results showed that most VHVs were female (n=168, 84.00%), under 60 years old (n=134, 67.00%), and had a secondary school education or equivalent (n=128, 64.00%). The average duration of being a VHV was 17.08 years (S.D. ±10.32). The overall health literacy for Tuberculosis prevention among VHVs was at a high level (50.67%), and most components of health literacy were also at a high level. Age and education level were found to be statistically significant factors associated with health literacy (P-value=0.016 and P-value=0.004, respectively). Local agencies involved in Tuberculosis control should design health literacy enhancement programs for TB that are suitable for the age and education level of VHVs to further improve their health literacy in Tuberculosis prevention and control, contributing to the achievement of national tuberculosis strategic goals.