Analysis of Health Literacy level and its Influencing Factors among the Elderly in a Certain City of China

Abstract

Objective To understand the health literacy level and its influencing factors of elderly in Guangzhou, so as to provide scientific evidence for formulating effective intervention measures and policies. Methods Stratified cluster random sampling was used to conduct a survey on health literacy among elderly in Guangzhou in 2022. Logistic regression was used to analyse the influencing factors of their health literacy level. Results The total level of elderly’s health literacy in Guangzhou is 16.9%; From the three dimensions of health literacy, 13.6% of elderly have health knowledge and conceptual literacy, 23.7% of healthy lifestyle and behaviour, and 3.4% of health skills literacy. From high to low, the level of the six aspects of health literacy are scientific health concept literacy (37.3%), safety and emergency literacy (35.7%), health information literacy (28.9%), basic medical literacy (25.4%), chronic disease prevention and control literacy (15.3%), and infectious disease prevention and control literacy (11.9%). And there are significant differences among elderly of different ages, educational level, housing population and years of having diseases (P <0.05). Conclusion The overall health literacy of elderly in Guangzhou is relatively high in China, but still need to be improved, esp. in health skills and infectious disease prevention and control literacy.