Factors Associated with Health Literacy on Early Childhood Care in the Service Area of Mae Non Health Promoting Hospital, Nong Phai Sub-District, Muang District, Udon Thani Province

Abstract

                This descriptive research by using a cross-sectional survey aimed to study the situation of health literacy in raising young children, personal factors related to health literacy in raising young children, and to study the relationship between health literacy in raising young children and the nutritional status, dental health, and development of young children. The samples included 102 primary caregivers of young children aged from newborn to five years old living in the service area of ​​Mae non health promotion hospital, Nong phai subdistrict, Mueang district, Udon thani province.

              The results of the research found that most caregivers were mothers (52.95%), had the highest level of education, which was primary school (41.17%). Most of them were general employees (35.3%) with three-generation families (parents, children and grandparents) (68.63%). The average income was 13,686.27 baht/month, had sufficient income for monthly expenses (55.88%), and had very good health literacy (57.85%). The highest level of health literacy was self-management (52.94%). The lowest level of health literacy was interpersonal communication (42.16%). The personal factors significantly related to the level of health literacy in raising young children (p-value < .05) were education level, income sufficiency for regular expenses, and family type. The level of health literacy in raising young children was significantly related to the nutritional status and dental health of young children (p-value < .05).