Health literacy of community leaders in the prevention and control of COVID-19: A cross-sectional study
Journal Title: Journal of Public Health and Development - Year 2024, Vol 22, Issue 3
Abstract
Community leadersin Thailand playan important role in preventing and controllinginfectious diseases,especially during theCOVID-19 pandemic. Hence, risk perception and adequate health literacy among these leaders influence the population. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationships amonghealth literacy, risk perception factors, and the implementation of COVID-19 prevention and control. A self-administered structured questionnaire was administered to 1,338 community leaders in northeast Thailand to assess the level of implementation of COVID-19 prevention and control measures.Multiple logistic regressionwas performed to identify the influence of risk perceptions and health literacy on theprevention and control of COVID-19. Approximately64%of the sample wasmale, and the participants had an average age of 50.51 ± 8.47 years. The factorsassociated with moderate and highlevels of COVID-19prevention and control among community leaders were moderate and high levels of perceived susceptibility (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj] = 3.01; 95% CI: 2.13–4.25; p-value < 0.001) and perceived severity (ORadj = 1.73; 95% CI: 1.22–2.45; p-value = 0.023) as well as adequate access(ORadj = 1.56; 95% CI: 1.08–2.25; p-value < 0.001) and adequate understanding(ORadj = 2.29; 95% CI: 1.34–3.93; p-value < 0.001),with alevel of statisticalsignificance of0.05. The incorporation of health literacy and risk perception, especially in dimensions such as access, understanding, perceived susceptibility, and perceived severity, is essential for leaders to possess strong skills in community health development, particularly during crises such asthe COVID-19 pandemic.
Authors and Affiliations
Surachai Phimha, Nakarin Prasit, Nopparat Senahad, Krissana Aunthakot, Chanaporn Pinsuwan, Kittipong Sornlorm, Nuttaporn Nidthumsakul, Natnapa Heebkaew Padhasuwan
Keywords
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- EP ID EP744877
- DOI 10.55131/jphd/2024/220301
- Views 22
- Downloads 0
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