An Investigation of the Relationship between Health Literacy and Self-Care Behaviors against COVID-19

Abstract

Background and Objectives: COVID-19 is a new infectious disease that has caused a pandemic in the world. In the absence of specific effective treatment, self-care measures have been considered necessary to prevent transmission of COVID-19. Health literacy is also considered a key element of a public health strategy to protect people from disease. The objective of this study was to assess health literacy, preventive behaviors toward COVID-19, and practice guidelines among the people from Golestan province, Iran. The present study was a descriptive-analytical study that was conducted cross-sectionally.

Methods: Data collection was done with a researcher-developed questionnaire through a phone interview with 746 people aged 18-65 in Golestan Province. The questionnaire was used in this study was a combination of the Health Literacy Instrument for Adults – HELIA, and some self-care behaviors against COVID-19.

Results: Regarding the studied subjects, 71.8% benefited from adequate health literacy and 27.3% had moderate health literacy. Self-care behaviors against COVID-19 were also adequate in 93.3% of the subjects. The subjects were more willing to obtain health information by asking friends and acquaintances (37.7%).

Conclusion: The adequacy of health literacy and preventive behaviors can confirm the efforts of the health system to inform and improve attitudes, and indicate that other sectors need more interventions through the SDH approach to remove obstacles.