The effect of health literacy promotion program to prevent liver fluke disease, Rang Raeng Sub-district, Uthumphon Phisai District, Sisaket Province

Abstract

This quasi-experimental research aimed to study the effects of a health literacy promotion program for the prevention of liver fluke disease in Rang Rang Subdistrict, Uthumphon Phisai District, Sisaket Province. A simple random sampling method was used to select participants aged 15-59 years, dividing them into an experimental group and a control group, with 50 participants in each group. The experimental group participated in the health literacy promotion program for 12 weeks. Research tools included a health education activity plan, knowledge management media, and an assessment of liver fluke disease incidence. Data was collected before and after the intervention using questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics (percentage, mean, standard deviation, maximum, and minimum values) and inferential statistics (paired t-test and independent t-test).

            The results showed that the experimental group had significantly higher average scores in health knowledge, health information access, health communication skills, self-management skills, media and information literacy, and decision-making skills after the intervention compared to the control group (p-value < 0.001). Furthermore, the incidence of liver fluke disease in the experimental group decreased by less than 5%. To promote effective and sustainable prevention behaviors for liver fluke disease, continuous health literacy promotion for the public is recommended.