Health Literacy regarding Prevention and Control of COVID-۱۹ in Iran

Background and Objective: Health literacy is a critical factor in the management of non-communicable and communicable diseases, such as COVID-۱۹. The present study aimed to evaluate the status of health literacy concerning the prevention and control of COVID-۱۹ among Iranian population in ۲۰۲۰.Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted using a researcher-made online questionnaire (The questionnaire consisted of seven multiple-choice demographic items and ۵۰ questions on the health literacy of respondents during the coronavirus epidemic.) to collect data from ۱۲۰۰ Iranian compatriots selected via convenience sampling in ۲۰۲۰. Collected data were analyzed by running T-test, one‑way analysis of variance, Pearson test, and regression test using SPSS۲۵ software. Significance level was considered <۰.۰۵.Results: The mean score of health literacy was ۶۶.۳۳±۱۵.۴۸ indicating higher rates in women, age group of ۲۰-۲۵ years, single people, urbanites, employees, healthy people, and individuals with academic education (p<۰.۰۰۱). Study variables could predict ۴۲.۵% health literacy concerning the prevention and control of COVID-۱۹. Gender, residential area, health status, level of education, and occupation were significant predictors of health literacy (p<۰.۰۰۱).Conclusion: Based on the findings, the health literacy of Iranian people was at a relatively desirable level. However, health authorities are required to design and implement purposeful and theory-based educational programs to raise the level of awareness in society.

کلیدواژه ها:

Health Literacy ، Prevention ، Control ، COVID-۱۹ ، Iran