Factors Associated with Health Literacy Among Elderly People with Hypertension in Ban Prok Subdistrict, Mueang Samut Songkhram District, Samut Songkhram Province

Sureewan  Siladlao; Suwanan  Chaiyached; Kanokwan  Jankree; Theerasak  Kumwong; Sarayut  Chusuton; Wanwimon  Mekwimon Kingkaew

Sureewan Siladlao Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Thailand
Suwanan Chaiyached Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Thailand
Kanokwan Jankree Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Thailand
Theerasak Kumwong Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Thailand
Sarayut Chusuton Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Thailand
Wanwimon Mekwimon Kingkaew Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Thailand

Keywords: Factors Associated, Health Literacy, Elderly

Abstract

This study uses a cross-sectional descriptive approach. The objectives are as follows: 1) assess the health literacy of elderly patients with hypertension in Ban Prok Subdistrict, Mueang Samut Songkhram District, Samut Songkhram Province, and 2 ) identify the factors associated with their health literacy. The study sample comprised 215 elderly patients with hypertension in Ban Prok Subdistrict, Mueang Samut Songkhram District, Samut Songkhram Province . Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including percentages, means, and standard deviations, as well as chi- square tests to examine relationships. The findings revealed that most respondents were female ( 60. 50%) , while males accounted for 39 . 50 percent. The majority of participants were aged between 71 and 80 years ( 44. 60%). Regarding marital status, most were married ( 56. 70%) , and 66 . 00% had completed primary education . Most respondents ( 64. 20%) were unemployed, with an average monthly income of less than 1,500 THB reported by 59 . 50 percent. Regarding health conditions, most participants weighed 56-65 kilograms (33.50%) and were 151-160 centimeters tall (40.90%). A family history of hypertension was reported by 60.00 percent of participants, and all participants ( 100. 00%) had chronic diseases . The most recent average blood pressure reading was 131-150 mmHg (47.90%) , and 80.00% had been diagnosed with hypertension for 1 - 10 years . The health literacy assessment indicated that most participants (50.21%) had good health literacy levels. The analysis of the relationships between personal factors and health literacy revealed that age, income , and duration of illness were significantly associated with health literacy at the 0.05 level. Conversely, gender, marital status, education level, occupation, and heredity were not significantly associated with health literacy at the 0.05 level.