Health Literacy Predicts Readiness to Behavior Change in The Iranian Adult Population

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Abadan university of medical science.

2 Abadan University of Medical Sciences

3 Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health Alimentary Tract Research Center Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences

4 Department of Public Health, School of Health ,Abadan University of Medical Sciences

5 Professor of Public health Department of Health Promotion and Education, School of Public Health Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Health literacy requires the knowledge, motivation, and competence to access understand, evaluate and apply health information to make judgments and decisions in daily life and to be prepared for the change to maintain or improve quality of life throughout life. This study aimed to investigate the health literacy level in the Iranian adult population (18-64 years old) and its relationship with behavior readiness.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 898 people were live in Southwest of Iran participated in the study in February 2022. The random sampling method was simple. According to the number assigned to each client covered by the health center the online link of the questionnaire was sent to their mobile phone through SMS and WhatsApp. Data were analyzed by SPSS25.

Results: Only 30.3% of the subjects had excellent health literacy and 46.5% had adequate health literacy. The mean score of readiness for behavior change was 92.68 ± 13.31. Health literacy had a positive and significant correlation with readiness for change (r = 0.405, P <0.001). In general health literacy alone predicted 16.8% variance of behavior change readiness (R square = 0.168, adjusted R = 0.167, P <0.001).

Conclusion:  In general health literacy in adults is insufficient. However, promoting health literacy may facilitate readiness to change health behaviors.

Keywords

Acknowledgement: We appreciate all the participants in the research.


Conflict of Interests: The Authors have no Conflict of Interests.


Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committees of Abadan School of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran (IR.ABADANUMS.REC.1399.050). All participants signed the consent form and they were ensured of the confidentiality of data collection. 


Funding Information: The authors have no financial interests related to the material in the manuscript.
Authors' contributions: All authors contributed to this project and article equally. All authors read and approved the final manuscript

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