Measuring Health Literacy of Elementary School Teachers in Shahrekord

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Public Health, School of Health, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

2 Student Research Committee, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.

Abstract

Background and Objective: Determining the health literacy level of teachers and their awareness of health-related issues helps to identify and meet the educational needs of students. The aim of this study was to determine the health literacy of elementary school teachers in Shahrekord.
 
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 60 Elementary school teachers in Shahrekord were selected via consensus sampling in 2017. Data were collected using questionnaires on demographic characteristics and health literacy (TOHFLA). Data were analyzed by SPSS Version 18 and descriptive and inferential statistical tests (e.g., linear regression analysis and Pearson correlation).
 
Results: The results showed that the mean score of health literacy in numerical ability test was 76.17±17.67 and for reading comprehension skill was 63.34±38.29. Also, the mean score of total health literacy was obtained 73.60±17.74. 60% of teachers in the numeracy part and 48.3% of them in the reading comprehension part had borderline health literacy level. There was a significant relationship between health literacy and age /economic status (P = 0.05). The results of multiple regression analysis indicated that age is the main predictors of health literacy (β= 0.096), P = 0.044).
 
Conclusion: Regarding the moderate level of teachers’ health literacy and its relationship with health literacy of students in schools, it is necessary to Design, implement and evaluate Targeted educational interventions related to health literacy.
 
Paper Type: Research Article

Keywords

References

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Journal of Health Literacy
Volume 4, Issue 1
June 2019
Pages 25-32

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