Health literacy among residents in Shenyang city

Objective To assess the level and variation of health literacy among residents.Methods By stratified cluster random sampling method,a total of 1 780 residents aged 15-69 years were selected from 5 urban districts and 2 rural towns in Shengang city and investigated with a questionnaire about health literacy.Results There were 11.0% of the residents investigated with health literacy,17.3% with basic knowledge about health literacy and concept,11.0% reporting healthy life style,36.3% reporting health viewpoint,11.6% having knowledge about communicable disease prevention,12.9% having health skill,12.7% having knowledge about noncommunicable chronic disease prevention,and 43.5% having safty and first aid knowiedge.Among the residents,12.3% had basic medical security and 18.2% could acquire medical information.Conclusion The health literacy is at a low level among residents in Shenyang city especially for the health literacy about infectious disease and noncommunicable chronic disease prevention and basic medical treatment.