Health Literacy among Rural Communities: A Large Cross-Sectional Study

A good picture of the Health literacy (HL) state in rural communities is essential to prevent and reduce the cost of treatment. The aim of this study is to estimate the HL of Iranian rural communities and identify related factors.

This cross-sectional study was conducted with multi-stage cluster sampling on about 5700 insured people living in rural areas of Iran in 2021. HL for Iranian Adults (HELIA) questionnaire and demographic information checklist were used to collect information. Bivariate and multivariable regression analyses were conducted to examine the factors associated with HL.

Out of 5675 participants in the study, 35.9% were male, 18.6% had university education levels, and 24.1% were single. The overall average score of the HL Questionnaire was 59.64 ± 22.85. Age, marital status, education level, number of insurance years, and annual visits were associated with HL (p<0.05).

The level of HL in the rural communities of Iran was inadequate. Education level was the most critical factor related to HL. Due to the low literacy level, the production of simple, understandable, cheap, and available media and educational materials appropriate to the cultural, economic, and social characteristics of Iranian rural communities is recommended.