Journals Information
Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 13(6), pp. 1474 - 1481
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2025.130607
Reprint (PDF) (728Kb)
The Influence of Health Literacy on Preventive Behaviors among Village Health Volunteers in Smog-Affected Areas of Sukhothai Province, Thailand
Sunanta Wongrattanakamon 1, Orathai Katkhaw 2,*, Tienthong Takaew 2, Taweewun Srisookkum 2, Patipat Vongruang 3, Prachuab Lamluk 2
1 Department of Health Promotion, School of Public Health, University of Phayao, Thailand
2 Department of Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Phayao, Thailand
3 Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Phayao, Thailand
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Smog, especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5), poses a major public health challenge in Thailand. Village health volunteers (VHVs) play a crucial role in promoting protective behaviors within affected communities. This study examines how health literacy (HL) influences preventive behaviors among VHVs in smog-affected areas of Sukhothai Province, Thailand. Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving 599 VHVs was conducted using a structured questionnaire to assess environmental health literacy (EHL) and preventive behaviors. HL levels were categorized as low (< 60%), moderate (60鈥�79%), and high (鈮� 80%) based on total percentage scores. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression were applied to identify predictors of preventive behaviors (p < 0.05). Results: The mean HL score was 84.24 (SD = 10.02) out of 110, indicating a moderate HL level (76.6%). Preventive behaviors were rated high (mean = 44.40, SD = 5.73). Regression analysis revealed that HL self-management (尾 = 0.239, p < .001), access to information (尾 = 0.217, p < .001), HL knowledge (尾 = 0.097, p < .05), and perceived smog severity (尾 = 0.085, p < .05) significantly predicted preventive behaviors, explaining 22.4% of the variance (adjusted R2 = 0.224). Conclusions: HL, particularly in self-management and information access, significantly contributes to preventive behaviors among VHVs. Therefore, community-based education aimed at enhancing HL is recommended to mitigate health risks from air pollution.
KEYWORDS
Health Literacy, Preventive Behaviors, Village Health Volunteers (VHVs), PM2.5, Smog Situation
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Sunanta Wongrattanakamon , Orathai Katkhaw , Tienthong Takaew , Taweewun Srisookkum , Patipat Vongruang , Prachuab Lamluk , "The Influence of Health Literacy on Preventive Behaviors among Village Health Volunteers in Smog-Affected Areas of Sukhothai Province, Thailand," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 13, No. 6, pp. 1474 - 1481, 2025. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2025.130607.
(b). APA Format:
Sunanta Wongrattanakamon , Orathai Katkhaw , Tienthong Takaew , Taweewun Srisookkum , Patipat Vongruang , Prachuab Lamluk (2025). The Influence of Health Literacy on Preventive Behaviors among Village Health Volunteers in Smog-Affected Areas of Sukhothai Province, Thailand. Universal Journal of Public Health, 13(6), 1474 - 1481. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2025.130607.