Assessment of Health Literacy and Related Determinants among Adults in Lahijan County, Gilan Province: A Cross-Sectional Study Using the HELIA Questionnaire

Background: Health literacy is a key determinant of health, playing a crucial role in disease prevention, chronic condition management, and reducing health inequalities. Lahijan County, with its rich historical-cultural background, unique tourism position, and specific demographic characteristics, requires a dedicated investigation into health literacy. Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on ۱۵۰ adults aged ۱۸–۶۵ years residing in Lahijan County. Stratified random sampling was performed from urban (Lahijan city) and rural areas (Central District, Rudboneh District). Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and the standard HELIA questionnaire (۳۳ items across five domains). Data analysis was performed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression in SPSS version ۲۶. Results: The mean age of participants was ۴۴.۸ ± ۱۴.۲ years (range: ۱۸–۶۵). The mean total health literacy score was ۶۶.۳ ± ۱۵.۵ (out of ۱۰۰), which falls within the "borderline" level. Only ۳۰% of participants (۴۵ individuals) had adequate or excellent health literacy. The highest score was observed in the "access to health information" domain (۷۱.۸ ± ۱۶.۹), and the lowest score was in the "evaluation of health information" domain (۶۲.۲ ± ۱۴.۸). Significant associations were found between health literacy and education (p < ۰.۰۰۱), socioeconomic status (p < ۰.۰۰۱), and place of residence (p = ۰.۰۰۸). Multiple linear regression showed that education (β = ۰.۴۲, p < ۰.۰۰۱) and economic status (β = ۰.۲۸, p = ۰.۰۰۲) were the strongest predictors of health literacy. Conclusion: Health literacy among adults in Lahijan County is below the optimal level, with over two-thirds of individuals having inadequate or borderline health literacy. The notable weakness in the "evaluation of health information" domain and the significant gap between different educational and economic groups are important findings. Targeted interventions focusing on critical thinking skills and information literacy, particularly for low-literacy and low-income groups, are strongly recommended.

کلیدواژه ها:

Health Literacy ، HELIA ، Lahijan County ، Adults ، Regression Analysis