The Level of Health Literacy of the Health Department Employees, one of the Social Determinants of Health: A descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study
Moeini Babak1, Rezapur-Shahkolai Forouzan2, Barati Maryam3*, Vesali-Monfared Ehsan3, Parsamajd Shahriar3, Ezzati Rastegar Khadje4
1. Professor, Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
2. Associate Professor, Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
3. MSc of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
4. P h.D of Health Education and Health Promotion, Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
*Corresponding Author: Maryam Barati
Address: Health Faculty, Hamadan University of Medical Science, Shahid Fahmide Boulevard, Hamadan, Iran.
Tel: 00988633682846 Email: m.barati@edu.umsha.ac.ir
Abstract:
Background & Objectives: Social determinants play a major role in people's health. Accessing, understanding, appraising, and applying information about social determinants of health enable people to play an active role in creating a healthier environment for themselves, their families, and their communities. The present study aimed to determine the health literacy level in social determinants of health among employees of the Health Department of Arak University of Medical Sciences and its related factors.
Methods: The study was conducted as a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional survey study on 200 employees selected from Arak University of Medical Sciences in 2019, through the stratified sampling method. The data collection instrument was Health Literacy on Social Determinants of Health Questionnaire (HL-SDHQ). One-way analysis of variance, independent t-test, and linear regression were used to analyze the data through SPSS (v 16).
Results: The participants’ health literacy was mostly moderate (67.5%) and only 19% of participants had the desired level of health literacy. Among the dimensions of health literacy, the understanding of information was more desirable. Among the demographic variables, age was predictor of health literacy (β = -0.28).
Conclusion: It is necessary to implement more specific educational sessions on how the social determinants affect people's health. Also, it is essential to train employees in executive strategies appropriate for their job duties to influence the determinants.
Keywords: Health Literacy, Social Determinants of Health, Employees, Health Department, University of Medical Sciences
Citation: Moeini B, Rezapur-Shahkolai F, Barati M, Vesali-Monfared E, Parsamajd S, Ezzati Rastegar K. The Level of Health Literacy of the Health Department Employees, one of the Social Determinants of Health: A descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study. Journal of Health Based Research 2021; 6(2): 197-207. [In Persian]
