Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Despite mounting evidence of health literacy research in the face of COVID-19 pandemic, little is known about COVID-19 related health literacy among school leaders in Asia as school leaders’ health literacy is an essential part of school health promotion efforts.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the level of COVID-19 related health literacy of school leaders in Hong Kong and the three select factors (including vaccine hesitancy, self-endangering behaviour, and work satisfaction) associated with it.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2021 and Feb 2022 with 259 school leaders using a self-report questionnaire. COVID-19-related health literacy, extensification of work, intensification of work, quality reduction, psychosomatic complaints and exhaustion were measured. The study employed independent sample t-test, ANOVA and multilinear regression models.
RESULTS: Overall, over half (53.7%) of Hong Kong school leaders had insufficient health literacy. School leaders with insufficient health literacy had significantly higher levels of “exhaustion related to work situation” (p=0.029), “psychosomatic complaints” (p<0.001), attitude about vaccination (i.e. less agree with vaccination) (p<.001), level of informing on COVID-19 related information (i.e. felt less informed) (p<.001), and level of confusion on COVID-19 related information (i.e. felt more confused) (p<.001). In a linear regression model adjusted for sex and age, COVID-19 health literacy age (β, -.188, 95% CI, -.024, -.005, p=.002); and level in COVID-19 related health literacy (β, -.395, 95% CI, -.716, -.361, p<.001) were negative predictors of attitude about coronavirus vaccination, F(5, 214) = 11.859, p<.001.
CONCLUSION: A high proportion of insufficient health literacy among school leaders in Hong Kong warrant attention of education and health authorities. The findings call for an urgent effort of offering health education programmes to promote school leaders’ health literacy.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the level of COVID-19 related health literacy of school leaders in Hong Kong and the three select factors (including vaccine hesitancy, self-endangering behaviour, and work satisfaction) associated with it.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2021 and Feb 2022 with 259 school leaders using a self-report questionnaire. COVID-19-related health literacy, extensification of work, intensification of work, quality reduction, psychosomatic complaints and exhaustion were measured. The study employed independent sample t-test, ANOVA and multilinear regression models.
RESULTS: Overall, over half (53.7%) of Hong Kong school leaders had insufficient health literacy. School leaders with insufficient health literacy had significantly higher levels of “exhaustion related to work situation” (p=0.029), “psychosomatic complaints” (p<0.001), attitude about vaccination (i.e. less agree with vaccination) (p<.001), level of informing on COVID-19 related information (i.e. felt less informed) (p<.001), and level of confusion on COVID-19 related information (i.e. felt more confused) (p<.001). In a linear regression model adjusted for sex and age, COVID-19 health literacy age (β, -.188, 95% CI, -.024, -.005, p=.002); and level in COVID-19 related health literacy (β, -.395, 95% CI, -.716, -.361, p<.001) were negative predictors of attitude about coronavirus vaccination, F(5, 214) = 11.859, p<.001.
CONCLUSION: A high proportion of insufficient health literacy among school leaders in Hong Kong warrant attention of education and health authorities. The findings call for an urgent effort of offering health education programmes to promote school leaders’ health literacy.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 27 Oct 2022 |
| Event | The 8th Asian Health Literacy Association (AHLA) International Conference 2022 - Chang Hua, Taiwan, Province of China Duration: 27 Oct 2022 → 29 Oct 2022 https://www.ahla-asia.org/about/23.htm https://www.ahla-asia.org/download/downloadfile/28/1.htm |
Conference
| Conference | The 8th Asian Health Literacy Association (AHLA) International Conference 2022 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Taiwan, Province of China |
| City | Chang Hua |
| Period | 27/10/22 → 29/10/22 |
| Internet address |
