Evaluating the Iranian Women's Environmental Health Literacy

Background and Objectives: Environmental health literacy (EHL) pertains to the ability to comprehend and utilize environmental data in order to make informed choices regarding one's health. The aim of this study is to evaluate EHL, encompassing Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors (KAP) regarding general environmental health (GEH) and Specific Environmental Media (air, food, and water), as well as their socio-demographic determinants. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted to examine the EHL of ۶۷۸ women who visited comprehensive health centers in Zanjan city in ۲۰۲۳. Data was collected through multi-stage random sampling using the validated EHL Scale, and analyzed with SPSS ۲۳ software at a significance level below ۰.۰۵.Results: The study found that while most women have good knowledge of GEH (۸۰.۷%), water (۶۰.۳%), and food (۹۰.۹%), only ۲۶.۷% are knowledgeable about air HL. Additionally, ۳۳.۹% had a positive attitude towards GEH, while only ۱۳.۷% felt positively about air quality. Many participants showed limited knowledge (۳۷.۵%) and a negative attitude (۴۳.۸%) towards air quality. Significant correlations exist between age, marital status, economic status, training participation, and women's EHL.Conclusion: The level of women's GEH and specific environmental media (air, food, and water) was high. However, their level of literacy in air media was lower than the other areas. To enhance environmental health literacy, health authorities should capitalize on women's potential and introduce specific programs to boost their air literacy.

کلیدواژه ها:

Environment ، Health Literacy ، water ، Food ، Air