Health Literacy and Utilization of health Services in Kerman urban Area 2011

Despite increasing concern on the effects of low health literacy، the influence of health literacy on health status and utilization of health services is not clear. The dim of this research is to assess health literacy and find out the relationship between health literacy and health services utilization. The present study was performed cross-sectionally. One thousand literates from urban population aged 17- up were investigatoel. Questionnaires were used for data collection. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics، to study variables relationships statistical tests such as chi square، T test، one way ANOVA and linear regression were applied. The level of health literacy of 60% percent of the population was low (inadequate، boarder line). Education (p=0. 001) and insurance coverage status (p=0. 002) had the most correlation with health literacy. Health Literacy had influence on health services utilization. The groups with high score of health literacy walk on one health center (p=0. 006). It was reported the people with low level of health literacy had more hospitalization (p=0. 003). The effect of health literacy was confirmed on health services Utilization factors after removing the effect of confounding factors. Health literacy was assessed low in Kerman. Enhancing health literacy may be an effective strategy for health improvement and health services utilization. Health literacy assessment for feedback of health literacy levels and appropriate demand from modern health care system should be measured by health care plans and policy making. The necessity of cultural and educational preparedness for promoting individual health literacy، improvement of blueprint in health services utilization، and the close cooperation and coordination among health system، education system and media is suggested.