Assessment of Health Literacy level of 18-30 Year-Old clients in Shemiranat Health Center, Tehran; an Iranian Experience Download PDF

Introduction: Health literacy is knowledge for comprehension, assessment and achievement of health and performing to health promotion. People, who have low literacy of health, have less knowledge about their health condition therefore they don’t take sufficient preventive services; instead they receive relatively more services of hospital and emergency units. Identification and promotion of health literacy level is one of the best solutions to increase social health which play important role in making healthy social life in future too. Material and Methods: 170 individuals, ranging from18-30 Year-Old clients in Shemiranat health network during June to August 2016, entered into the study. Health literacy was measured using the Standard Questionnaire of Iranian Health Literacy (health literacy for Iranian adults) which the validity and reliability was proven by Montazeri et al (2014). Data were analyzed by SPSS 21.0 software. The statistical analyses were performed by using T-test, ANOVA. Results: Internet was the most common way to access Health information (40.4%) and infrequent information source was IVR (1.4%). health literacy level was estimated as "marginal" health literacy. The mean health literacy score in the dimensions of “reading” was higher than other dimensions and “Decision-making” was at least. There was statistical significant relationship between health literacy level and source of information, age and education status, but there was no statistical significant relationship between health literacy level with job and gender. Discussion: In general health literacy level among clients in Shemiranat Health Center was unacceptable. Thus public awareness and constructing web sites related to health by Health Networks and administrate them will effect on people health promotion. Indeed planning and implementing educational interventions by related organs and institutions are recommended to improve health literacy among clients.