Factors Predicting Health Literacy of Influenza among Children’s Guardians in Child Development Centers, Tha Sala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to evaluate the level of perceived health status, perceived health service quality, and health literacy of influenza and to analyse factors predicting health literacy of influenza among children’s guardians in child development centers of Tha Sala district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The subjects consisted of  363 guardians of children selected by simple random sampling method from 28 child development centers. Data were gathered from August to September, 2020, using a created questionnaire that had IOC = .96 and Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient = .87. Descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression were used for data analyses. The results showed that most of the children’s guardians perceived health status and perceived health service quality at a moderate level (52.30% and 59.80%, respectively). Children’s guardians had health literacy of influenza at an interactive level (58.10%). These factors accounted for 33.8% of the variation in  guardians’ health literacy (p<.001), which included perceived health status (ß=.268, p<.001), perceived health service quality (ß=.296, p<.001), education (ß=.121, p=.007) marital status (ß=.107, p=.014), influenza vaccination of children (ß=.138, p=.002), and health problems of children (ß=-.125, p=.004). Therefore, public health personnel should focus on the health status of children and provide health services to children’s guardians. Children’s guardians should understand and be aware of the child health care process and should campaign for children to receive a comprehensive influenza vaccine to reduce the rate of morbidity and complications of the disease.