The Influence of Health Literacy on the Desirable Behaviors of the Elderly in Khao Phra Subdistrict, Phipun District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional research aimed to study the level of health literacy, the level of desirable health behaviors, and the influence of health literacy on desirable health behaviors among older adults in Khao Phra Subdistrict, Phipun District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. The population consisted of 803 socially active older adults in the area under the responsibility of Ban Chulabhorn Phatthana 2 Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital. The sample size was determined to be 267 people using simple random sampling by drawing names without replacement, with a response rate of 98.13% (262 people). The research instrument was a three-part questionnaire comprising general information, health literacy, and desirable health behaviors, using a 5-point rating scale. The instrument was validated for content validity and reliability. Data were collected through interviews and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis.

The results showed that the majority of participants were female (59.54%), with a mean age of 70.98 years, had primary education (85.11%), were engaged in agriculture (58.78%), and had an average monthly income of 5,187.40 baht. Most older adults had an adequate level of health literacy (46.18%), with access skills showing the highest proportion of good literacy levels (66.03%), while inquiry skills showed the most problems (50.38%). Desirable health behaviors were mostly at a moderate level (65.27%). Multiple regression analysis revealed that comprehension skills, inquiry skills, and decision-making skills together predicted desirable health behaviors at 71.00% (R² = 0.710, F = 153.587, p = 0.003), with inquiry skills having the highest influence (Beta = 0.201), followed by decision-making skills (Beta = 0.161) and comprehension skills (Beta = 0.132). Programs should be developed to promote inquiry skills by organizing training activities to build confidence in older adults to communicate with healthcare personnel, as well as conducting in-depth studies using mixed-methods research to develop more effective strategies.