Determinants of Rabies-Related Health Literacy and Behaviors among Students in Secondary Schools in Rabies-Endemic Area

Abstract

This study was aimed to investigate the level of rabies-related health literacy and behaviors, and the association between social determinants of health, rabies-related health literacy and rabies-related behaviors among students in secondary schools in a rabies-endemic area. Altogether 554 secondary school students in Ubon Ratchathani Municipality area were recruited. Data were cololected by questionnaire which was developed using the perspective of social determinants of health and Sorensen’s model of health literacy. It was found that the students had a high level of overall health literacy, with the highest average score in the aspect of understanding rabies-related information and the lowest average score in the aspect of appraising skill. In terms of desirable rabies-related behaviors, the students were found to have high score overall, with the highest average score in regard to having a separated sleeping area from their pets and the lowest average score in regard to avoiding contact with stray animals. The results from multiple linear regression showed that access to health services, safe environment, gender, and parent’s education were significantly associated with the level of overall health literacy (p<0.05). In addition, safe environment, access to health services, skills in access to and application of health information, and gender were significantly associated with rabies-related health behaviors (p<0.05).