Relationship between Health Literacy and Life Style of Women in Khomeinishahr, Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Health education and lifestyle are factors affecting health. This study seems necessary to assess health literacy, determine lifestyle (based on four dimensions of nutrition, physical activity, interpersonal relations, and mental health) as well as the relationship between lifestyle and health literacy of 30 to 59 years old women referred to health care centers in Khomeinishahr, Isfahan, Iran. Materials & Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 420 women between 30 to 59 years old, of 11 health care centers, were selected randomly. In this study, a standardized three-part questionnaire was used the validity and reliability of which has already been approved. The questionnaire consisted of three parts including demographic information including age, marital status, education level, economic status and health situation; lifestyle questionnaire and Functional Health Literacy questionnaire for adults. Data analysis was down by using descriptive and analytical statistics (Pearson correlation and multiple regressions) through SPSS 16 Software. Results: The mean age of participants was 39.69 +/- 8.06 years old and 56.7 had an education level of under diploma. According to regression analysis, there was a statistically significant relationship between health literacy and dimensions of nutrition, physical activity, and mental health. There was no significant relationship between health literacy and interpersonal relationships. Regression analysis using Enter method showed that health literacy as predictor variable explains 31.2 of variance of lifestyle and its dimensions in women. Conclusion: Nutrition, physical activity and mental situation were improved with increasing the level of health literacy. Therefore, education and interventions in this group of people is recommended to improve health literacy.