THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEALTH LITERACY AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLE BEHAVIOR AMONG THE ELDERLY IN BAN CHOM THONG, MUEANG, PHITSANULOK

Authors

  • Kingkaew Samruayruen
  • Jiriyaporn Kaewkanjanawong
  • Nuttawadee Khamondee

Keywords:

health literacy, healthy lifestyle behavior, elderly

Abstract

This descriptive research is aimed to study health literacy, healthy lifestyle behavior and the relationship between health literacy and healthy lifestyle behavior among the elderly in Ban Chom Thong sub-district, Mueang district, Phitsanulok province. The samples were 207 elderly who participated in this study by simple random sampling. The research tools were doing the health literacy test (Cognitive and Decision skills), health literacy questionnaires (Access, Communication, Self-management and Media skills) and healthy lifestyle behaviors questionnaires. Data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient. The results were shown: that health literacy was at a moderate level (51.2%) and healthy lifestyle behavior was at a moderate level. (55.6%) The health literacy was positively correlated with healthy lifestyle behavior at a high level (r = 0.709, p < .05). The results from this study can be used as basic knowledge for authorities to plan health literacy programs or activities for promoting healthy lifestyle behavior among the elderly and improving their quality of life.

References

Aekplakorn W, Pakcharoen H, Thaika K. et al. The National Heath Examination Survey in Thailand 2014. Nonthaburi: Health Systems Research Institute; 2014.

Baker DW, Wolf MS, Feinglass J, et al. Health literacy and mortality among elderly persons. Arch Intern Med, 2007; 167(14): 1503-1509.

Chom Thong Health Promoting Hospital. Chom Thong’s Ageing Population 2016-2017. Phitsanulok: Chom Thong Health Promoting Hospital; 2017.

Department of Older Persons, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. Thailand’s Ageing Population 2017. Available at: http://www.dop.go.th/download/knowledge/th1533055363-125_ 1.pdf. 2018. Accessed October 31, 2018.

Dewalt DA, Berkman ND, Sheridan S. et al. Literacy and health outcomes: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2004; 19(2): 1228-1239.

Foroushani AR, Estebsari F, Mostafaei D. et al. Taghdisi MH. The effect of health promoting intervention on healthy lifestyle and social support in elders: A clinical trial study. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, 2014; 16(8): e18399. Doi: 10.5812/ircmj.18399.

Health Education Division, Department of Health Service Support, Ministry of Public Health. Health Literacy. Bangkok: New Thammada Press (Thailand) Co., Ltd.; 2011.

Institute for Population and Social Research. Population of Thailand, 2019. Mahidol Population Gazette, 2019; 28: 1-2.

Intarakamhang, U. Health Literacy: Measurement and Development. Bangkok: Sukhumvit Printing Co., Ltd.; 2017.

Junsukon E, Samruayruen K. Factors predicting health - promoting behavior among buddhist monks in Phitsanulok province. Rajabhat Journal of Science, Humanities & Social Science, 2017; 18(2): 409-418.

Kaeodumkoeng K. Health Literacy: Access, Understand and Application. Bangkok: Amarin Printing and Publishing; 2018.

Kwan B, Frankish J, Rootman I. The Development and Validation of Measures of Health Literacy in Different Populations. Unpublished report. Vancouver: University of British Columbia Institute of Health Promotion Research and University of Victoria Centre for Community Health Promotion Research; 2006.

Nakphu T, Sontirat S. Self-reliance, health empowerment, health literacy and happiness of the elderly at Tambon Thap Yai Chiang in Amphoe Phrom Phiram, Phitsanulok province. Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (Thailand, 2015; 41(1): 88-104.

Noradechanunt C, Prasomsuk S, Kunalasiri P. et al. Effectiveness of low-intensity Thai yoga exercise for improving functional fitness and quality of life in inactive older adults. Rajabhat Journal of Science, Humanities & Social Science, 2019; 20(1): 123-135.

Paech J, Lippke S. Health literacy as a key to healthy ageing in Europe. The European Health Psychologist, 2017; 17(2): 67-71.

Prasartkul P. Situation of the Thai elderly 2015. Bangkok: Foundation of Thai Gerontology Research and Development Institute; 2015.

Samruayruen K, Kitreerawutiwong N. Understanding on Assessing Health Literacy. EAU Heritage Journal Science and Technology, 2018; 12(3): 1-13.

Sorensen K. Brand H. Health literacy lost in translations: introducing the European Health Literacy Glossary. Health Promotion International. 2013.

Srithanee K. Relationship between Health Literacy and Quality of the Elderly’s Life at the Central Part of the North-East Thailand. Journal of Health Systems Research, 2017; 11(1): 26-36.

World Bank. Life expectancy at birth, total (year). Available at: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator /sp.dyn.le00.in. 2017. Accessed August 9, 2019.

World health organization. 10 Facts on ageing and health. Available at: https://www.who.int/features /factfiles/ageing/en/. 2017. Accessed October 31, 2018.

WHO. Ageing and Health: Key Facts. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ ageing-andhealth?fbclid=IwAR2kK_RXgnv06mc5Z4Hl2vu8Ow1cG9jG83R5xKWo1B3SQS4bMJJVv1L wads. 2018a. Accessed October 31, 2018.

WHO. Ageing and life-course: What is Healthy Ageing. Available at: https://www.who.int/ageing/healthy -ageing/en/. 2018b. Accessed October 31, 2018.

Downloads

Published

2019-11-29

How to Cite

Samruayruen, K., Kaewkanjanawong, J., & Khamondee, N. (2019). THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEALTH LITERACY AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLE BEHAVIOR AMONG THE ELDERLY IN BAN CHOM THONG, MUEANG, PHITSANULOK. Life Sciences and Environment Journal, 20(2), 327–337. Retrieved from https://ph01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/psru/article/view/187951

Issue

Section

Research Articles