Health literacy and its influencing factors among residents in areas out of poverty in Yunnan province, 2020: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine the health literacy and its influencing factors among residents living in areas out of poverty in Yunnan province for providing evidence to the development of regional health promotion policies. MethodsTotally 36 410 permanent residents aged 15 – 69 years were recruited in 88 formerly impoverished counties of Yunnan province with stratified multistage random cluster sampling for a household survey. The National Health Literacy Questionnaire was self-administered to the participants under the guidance of interviewers during August – October, 2020. ResultsFor the 34 510 participants with valid responses, only 5 129 (14.86%) were assessed as having adequate health literacy (with an overall score of ≥ 80 for a maximum health literacy score of 100). The results of multivariate unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that the participants aged 25 – 54 years or with the education of primary school and above were more likely to have a higher health literacy; while, those being ethnic minority or living in rural areas were more likely to have a lower health literacy. ConclusionThe health literacy is at a low level and mainly influenced by age, ethnic, education and residential area among the residents living in areas out of poverty in Yunnan province.

Keywords

• health literacy
• qualification
• influencing factor
• residents in areas out of poverty