| ObjectiveTo investigate the health literacy status of the elderly in Shunde District of Foshan City,as well as the acquisition of health education information,the implementation of health education,health behavior and health status,analyze the influencing factors of the health literacy level of the elderly,and put forward strategies to improve the health literacy level of the elderly based on the core concept of active aging,in order to provide reference for the local government and relevant institutions to improve the health literacy promotion of the elderly.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of health literacy was conducted among544 elderly people aged 60 and above in 10 towns and streets in Shunde District of Foshan City by convenience sampling.The questionnaire included social demographic characteristics,health literacy,health education information acquisition,health education implementation,health behavior and health status.SPSS25.0 was used for mathematical analysis of the survey data.The descriptive statistics of each index were analyzed by frequency,composition ratio and other indicators.The single factor analysis of health literacy level was analyzed by chi-square test.The multi-factor analysis of health literacy level was analyzed by binary Logistics regression analysis,with α= 0.05 as the test level.Results1.A total of 620 questionnaires were distributed and recovered,544 were valid,and the effective recovery rate was 87.7 %.The health literacy level of the elderly in Shunde District of Foshan City was 23.2 %,and the average score of health literacy was 25.55±6.947.The health literacy of the elderly can be divided into three aspects and six types of problems.The three aspects of health literacy level from high to low were : basic concept(87.1 %),basic skills(29.8 %),basic knowledge(21.3 %).The health literacy level of six types of problems from high to low were : scientific view of aging(87.1 %),safety and first aid(48.3 %),information acquisition and self-care(47.8 %),healthy lifestyle(42.5 %),health service utilization and chronic disease management(34.6 %),intrinsic ability and geriatric syndrome(18.4 %).2.In terms of access to health education information,the majority of people(69.1 %)were very concerned about health and health information,and the main channels for obtaining health information included watching TV(14.3 %),attending health lectures / lecture halls(13.2 %),etc.The main contents included self-management of common chronic diseases(19.9 %),healthy lifestyle guidance(exercise,diet,nutrition,smoking cessation and alcohol restriction)(19.8 %),etc.In terms of the implementation of health education,at present,the community generally carries out health education activities,but the proportion of frequency of activities of’ often ’ and ’ always ’ is not high(33.3 %);most of the communities carried out health education activities for the elderly(71.1 %).The personnel who organized educational activities were mainly community doctors(32.4 %)and social workers(27.1 %).The content was mainly based on healthy lifestyle guidance(exercise,diet,nutrition,smoking cessation and alcohol restriction)(20 %),disease prevention and control knowledge(17.9 %).The majority of the elderly believed that the elderly health education activities organized by the community were quite good or very good(54.2 %).3.In terms of health behavior of the elderly,non-smokers(89.9 %),non-drinkers(90.6 %),regular physical exercise(60.5 %),and regular physical examination in the past year(80.1 %)accounted for the majority.In terms of health status,the proportion of elderly people with at least one chronic disease is as high as 86.9 %,of which the elderly with1-3 chronic diseases account for the majority(76.8 %);most of the elderly had no experience of falling in the past year(80.0 %);most of the elderly(52.0 %)were aware of the general health status.4.There were statistically significant differences in the health literacy level of the elderly between different groups in different ways of old-age care,living style,monthly income,medical insurance,attention to health and health knowledge,smoking,drinking,regular physical examination,the number of chronic diseases,and independent ability of medical treatment(P < 0.05).5.Ways of old-age care,living style,monthly income,medical insurance,attention to health and health knowledge,whether regular physical examination,and independent ability of medical treatment were influencing factors affecting the health literacy level of the elderly(P <0.05).In comparison,the health literacy level of the elderly who chose institutional care was higher than that of the elderly who chose home care(OR = 1.836,95 % CI : 1.134-2.974);the elderly living alone was higher than those living alone(OR = 2.152,95 % CI : 1.195-3.874).The elderly with monthly income of 3500-6499 yuan and 1000-3499 yuan were higher than those with monthly income < 1000 yuan(OR =2.205,95 % CI : 1.062-4.577),(OR = 2.053,95 % CI : 1.088-3.876);the elderly without medical insurance were lower than those with medical insurance(OR = 0.254,95 % CI : 0.075-0.860).The elderly with general attention to health and health knowledge were lower than those with great attention(OR = 0.356,95 % CI : 0.196-0.647;the elderly without regular physical examination were lower than those with regular physical examination(OR = 0.458,95 % CI : 0.245-0.857).The elderly who needed to accompany to large hospitals and community clinics were higher than those who could seek medical treatment independently(OR= 2.154,95 % CI : 1.255-3.697).Conclusions1.The health literacy level of the elderly in Shunde District of Foshan City is generally high,but there are great differences between different aspects and different problem literacy levels.Among the three aspects and six categories of health literacy,it is necessary to continue to increase efforts to improve the basic knowledge and basic skills,as well as the literacy level of internal ability and geriatric syndrome,health service utilization and chronic disease management,and healthy lifestyle.Ways of old-age care,living style,monthly income,attention to health and health information,whether regular physical examination,and independent medical ability are influencing factors of health literacy level of the elderly in Shunde District of Foshan City.2.Based on the perspective of active aging,it is suggested to promote the comprehensive,coordinated and sustainable development of the cause of aging by strengthening the leading role of the government;improve health management services for the elderly and improve the elderly health support system;strengthen health education personnel training,pay attention to the knowledge education of geriatrics;give full play to the subjective initiative of individuals and promote the enthusiasm of individuals for active health and other measures to effectively improve the health literacy level of the elderly in Shunde District of Foshan City. |
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