THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEALTH LITERACY WITH TUBERCULOSIS PREVENTION AND CONTROL BEHAVIORS OF VILLAGE HEALTH VOLUNTEERS (VHV) IN SAMUT PRAKAN PROVINCE

Abstract

This research is a cross-sectional study aimed at examining the level of health literacy and tuberculosis prevention and control behaviors among village health volunteers (VHV). It also investigates the relationship between health literacy and tuberculosis prevention and control behaviors of village health volunteers (VHV) in Phraek sa Mai Subdistrict, Mueang Samut Prakan District, Samut Prakan Province. The sample consisted of 166 participants. The research instrument was a questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.95. Data analysis included frequency distribution, percentage, mean, standard deviation, maximum and minimum values, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient to determine relationships between variables.

      The research findings revealed that, overall, village health volunteers (VHV) had a high level of health literacy (Mean = 4.23, S.D. = 0.80). When considering each aspect, the highest mean score was in self-management and application skills (Mean = 4.56, S.D. = 0.64), followed by the ability to present alternatives to others (Mean = 4.29, S.D. = 0.66), decision -making for appropriate actions (Mean = 4.28, S.D. = 0.64), comprehension of health information (Mean = 4.19, S.D. = 0.70), and communication and inquiry skills (Mean = 4.08, S.D. = 0.68). The lowest mean score was in accessing health information and services (Mean = 4.00, S.D. = 0.80).                     The tuberculosis prevention and control behaviors of VHVs were also at a high level (Mean = 4.11, S.D. = 0.60). Moreover, health literacy was found to have a strong positive correlation with tuberculosis prevention and control behaviors among village health volunteers (VHV) in Samut Prakan Province (r = 0.724**) at the Statistically significant level of .01

      Therefore, local agencies should use the information obtained from this study as a guideline for developing and promoting health literacy in tuberculosis prevention and control in the area.