Health Literacy and Basic Self-Care Knowledge of Undergraduate Students in Khon Kaen University

Abstract

Background and objective: Health literacy and basic self-care knowledge will lead to appropriate health management. The objective of this study were to evaluate the central tendency and level of health literacy and basic self-care knowledge of undergraduate students of Khon Kaen University who receive service at complex and to assess the correlation between two variables.

Methods: A descriptive study was conducted with systematic sampling of 484 undergraduate students of Khon Kaen University who come to receive services at food-center complex using self-administered questionnaire as a tool. The results were described as median, IQR, 95%CI of median and proportion. The correlation was described as correlation coefficient.

Results: The Response rate was 84.9 percent (410/484). The median of health literacy score was 11(95%: CI 11-12) out of 50, IQR=6. The median of basic self-care knowledge score was 36(95%CI: 36-37) out of 50, IQR=7. The populations were mainly categorized as sufficient (38.9%) and fair (66.3%) in health literacy and basic self-care knowledge, respectively. The correlation between health literacy and basic self-care knowledge was weakly, statistical significant(p-value< 0.01, correlation coefficient= 0.227).

Conclusion: The median of health literacy score was 11 of 6. The median of basic self-care knowledge score was 36 from 50.