Study on health literacy status among residents in Jilin Province

Objective To investigate health literacy status and its influencing factors among the residents in Jilin Province,and provide scientific basis for developing strategies of health literacy.Methods Using multi-staged stratified random cluster sampling,9913 residents were selected to complete the face-to-face survey.Health literacy questionnaire for Chinese citizen in 2009 was designed by Ministry of Health.Results The proportion of the residents with health literacy was 22.9%.The proportion of residents with basic health concept knowledge,healthy lifestyle behaviors,and health related skills was 37.1%,10.3% and 46.8%,respectively.The proportion of residents with scientific attitude towards health,literacy of safety and first aid,infectious diseases prevention,basic medical care,and chronic diseases prevention was 23.2%,59.9%,30.0%,14.6% and 21.0%,respectively.There was significant difference in health literacy between urban and rural residents in Jilin Province.Levels of education and age were also the main influencing factors with health literacy among the residents.Conclusion Different strategies should be developed on health literacy promotion according to the characteristics of populations.