Frontiers in Public Health (Feb 2023)

Relationship between health literacy and COVID-19 knowledge: A cross-sectional study

  • Zhenbo Tao,
  • Qianqian Xu,
  • Yingying Zhu,
  • Qiuhong Mei,
  • Hongwei Feng,
  • Qiuyan Jin,
  • Shige Ding,
  • Ying Dong

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1058029
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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BackgroundHealth literacy (HL) is a protective factor for some chronic diseases. However, its role in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has not been clarified. This study aims to explore the association between HL and COVID-19 knowledge among residents in Ningbo.MethodsA total of 6,336 residents aged 15–69 years in Ningbo were selected by multi-stage stratified random sampling method. The “Health Literacy Questionnaire of Chinese Citizens (2020)” was used to evaluate the relationship between COVID-19 knowledge and HL. Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression were used to analyze the data.ResultsThe HL and COVID-19 knowledge levels of Ningbo residents were 24.8% and 15.7%, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, people with adequate HL were the more likely to have adequate COVID-19 knowledge compared with those with limited HL (OR = 3.473, 95% CI = 2.974–4.057, P <0.001). Compared with the limited HL group, the adequate HL group had a higher rate of COVID-19 knowledge, a more positive attitude, and a more active behavior.ConclusionCOVID-19 knowledge is significantly associated with HL. Improving HL may influence people's knowledge about COVID-19, thereby changing people's behaviors, and finally combating the pandemic.

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