Factors Influencing Health Literacy in Early Childhood Rearing Practices among Grandparents in Chanthaburi Province
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Early childhood is a critical period for brain development and lifelong well-being. In the Thai context, health literacy of grandparents serves as essential information for fostering proper caregiving practices that support the development and growth of young children. This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to examine the situation of health literacy in early childhood rearing practices and to identify the factors influencing health literacy among grandparents caring for young children in Chanthaburi Province. A total of 250 grandparents raising grandchildren aged from birth to 4 years, 11 months, and 29 days were selected through multi-stage random sampling. Data collection involved face-to-face interviews to assess health literacy in early childhood rearing practices conducted from August to September 2024. This research instrument had a content validity index of .93 and a Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of .91. Descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple linear regression analysis were applied to analyze the data. The results revealed that the majority of grandparents (74.40%) had insufficient health literacy in early childhood rearing practices. The significant predictors of health literacy in early childhood rearing practices included having a phone/communication device, literacy skills, having a grandmother as the main caregiver, being a member of a community group, receiving tangible support from village health volunteers, appraisal support from administrative organizations, and emotional support from public health officers. These factors collectively accounted for 34.00% of the variance in health literacy (R²=.340, p<.001). These findings suggest that healthcare personnel and relevant agencies should develop tailored interventions to enhance grandparents’ health literacy regarding the influencing factors of appropriate early childhood rearing practices. Such programs should leverage grandparents’ learning potential and provide targeted support based on their specific contexts and needs.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
บทความและรายงานวิจัยในวารสารพยาบาลกระทรวงสาธารณสุข เป็นความคิดเห็นของ ผู้เขียน มิใช่ของคณะผู้จัดทำ และมิใช่ความรับผิดชอบของสมาคมศิษย์เก่าพยาบาลกระทรวงสาธารณสุข ซึ่งสามารถนำไปอ้างอิงได้
References
Pattanapongthorn C, Thonghem A, Asanok N, Phudontaong C, Pongjinda P. report on the study of an integrated early childhood development and learning promotion system based on the philosophy of sufficiency economy. Nonthaburi: Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health; 2020.(in Thai)
Office of the Secretariat of the National Strategy Committee, Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council. National strategy (2018–2037). Bangkok: Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council; 2018.(in Thai)
Boonkhayai S. A study of factors related to health literacy of thai people aged 15 years and over: a case study of health region 4. Saraburi: Health Center 4 Saraburi; 2019. (in Thai)
Nanthamongkolchai S. Research report: child rearing of Thai families. 1st ed. Bangkok: Thailand Research Fund; 2004.(in Thai)
Jangpanich P, Ployluan W. A Study of the situation of thai early childhood development in 2021. Journal of Health Promotion and Environmental Health. 2023;46(1):41-53.(in Thai)
Boonjeam S, Muktabhant B, Chaichit R, Udompanich S. Quality early childhood in Northeastern Thailand. Khon Kaen University Research Journal (Graduate Studies). 2021;21(4):196-209.(in Thai)
Potipiti K. Heath Literacy of major caregivers and teachers/child caregivers about early childhood care in the Health Region 5. Health Region 7 Khonkaen Journal. 2023;15(1):28-50. (in Thai)
Thongthai T, Boonjaiem S, Puriso P, Srimannon N, Deangong L. Health literacy in early childhood care among caregivers in Health Region 7. Journal of Health Promotion and Environmental Health. 2023;46(1):105-15.(in Thai)
Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health. Summary report on the situation of literacy in early childhood care. Nonthaburi: Department of Health; 2020. p. 44-102.(in Thai)
Kaewdamkoeng K. Health literacy: access, understanding, and application. 2nd ed. Bangkok: Amarin Printing and Publishing; 2018.(in Thai)
Phengchan W. Health literacy. In: Proceedings of the workshop on potential development of department of health personnel on health literacy towards Thailand. Nonthaburi: Ministry of Public Health; 2017.(in Thai)
Roma W, SamuanKlang M, KloyEiam S. Final report of the survey project on health literacy of Thai people aged 15 years and over, 2017 (Phase 1). Nonthaburi: Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI); 2018.(in Thai)
Chanthaburi Provincial Public Health Office. Report on the research of early childhood development situation in Chanthaburi Province. Chanthaburi: Chanthaburi Provincial Public Health Office; 2021.(in Thai)
Daniel WW, Cross CL. Biostatistics: A foundation for analysis in the health sciences. 10th ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons Inc; 2013.
House JS. Social support and social structure. Harrisburg: Pennsylvania state University. 1985.
Potipatsa G, Muenthaisong S, Raknhathee D, Supunya J, Makrat M. childhood parenting by grandparents in a skipped–generation family. Journal of Sakon Nakhon Hospital 2020;23(2): 182-91.(in Thai)
Darren AD. Health literacy and child health outcomes: a systematic review of the literature. Pediatrics. 2009;124(3):265-74.
Ruengkiattikun N. Factors related to health literacy of Thai older adults. Journal of the Department of Medical Services. 2022;47(1):80-6.(in Thai)
Sithikaew N, Kodyee S, Moonpanan K, Phitchalat K, Raengsing C, Singkhon O, Tripathi S. A study of the relationship of factors related to positive parenting behaviors of early childhood parents and executive functions of early childhood children in Chiang Rai Province. Journal of Nursing, Ministry of Public Health. 2021;32(3):122-33.(in Thai)
Wongphikul O. Effects of a parental social support application program combined with TEDA4I for children aged 0-5 years with developmental delay by health promotion hospital, Health Center 9 Nakhon Ratchasima. Journal of Health Science, Nakhon Ratchasima College. 2023;2(2):23-38.(in Thai)
Lewin S, Munabi Babigumira S, Glenton C, Daniels K, Bosch Capblanch X, van Wyk BE, Odgaard Jensen J, Johansen M, Aja GN, Zwarenstein M, Scheel IB. Lay health workers in primary and community health care for maternal and child health and the management of infectious diseases. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2010; 3: CD004015. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004015.pub3.
