Objective  To examine current situation and influencing factors of basic health knowledge and concept among adult Tibet residents and to provide references for promoting health literacy of the population.

  Methods  Stratified cluster sampling and probability proportional sampling (PPS) were used to recruit 1 739 permanent residents aged 15 – 69 years for a questionnaire survey in Tibet Autonomous Region (Tibet). The status and relevant factors of basic health knowledge and concept of the participants were analyzed.

  Results  Among the participants, the overall level of basic health knowledge and concept was 1.55 % and the average total score of health literacy was 11.01 ± 4.99. The participants showed the highest awareness rate (75.33%) for attentions required when a child receiving vaccination and the lowest awareness rate (14.20 %) for concerns while selecting packaged foods. The results of univariate analysis indicated that there were no significant gender and between ethnic group differences in health literacy scores among the participants (P = 0.190 and P = 0.650). The score of basic health knowledge and concept was significantly higher among the urban residents than among the rural residents (12.48 ± 4.80 vs. 10.74 ± 4.98, P < 0.001) and for all the residents the score increased with the increment of education level (P < 0.001). Significantly lower score of basic health knowledge and concept was observed among the participants aged 60 – 69 years, living in a family with 7 or more permanent members, being a farmer, and having an annual household income of < 10 000 RMB yuan (P < 0.01 for all).

  Conclusion  The level of basic health knowledge and concept was low and differed by several characteristics among the adult residents in Tibet. Education on health literacy needs to be strengthened to promote the awareness of health knowledge in the population.