Effect of an Educational Program on Level of Health Literacy among Health Care Workers

Background and aim: health literacy defined as cognitive and social skills which determine the motivation and ability of individuals to gain access to, understand and use information in ways which promote and maintain good health. In present study, we examined the effect of an educational program on level of health literacy among health care workers in Iran. Methods: this is a quasi-experimental study with using one-group pre-test/post-test design. Study conducted from January 2014 to July 2015. Samples were 90 licensed people who work in medical clinics in Qazvin, Iran. The educations consisted of a 4 and 5 theoretical and practical session and including infection, medication therapy, wound care, fluid and electrolyte therapy. Participants also received a six week clinical period in different hospital wards. Data were collected using a demographics questionnaire and Health Literacy for Iranian Adults (HELIA). The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 16). Results: Most participants were female. The mean ages of participant were 38.49±8.41. Mean score of HELIA before and after education were 71.9 and 76.1 respectively. Results showed that the mean score of HELIA after receiving education increased compared to before receiving education and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Before educational intervention, 4, 22, 38 and 14 people showed inadequate, not long enough, adequate and excellent level of health literacy respectively. After educational intervention, 3, 9, 47 and 19 people showed inadequate, not long enough, adequate and excellent level of health literacy respectively. Conclusion: according to finding of present study, participant health literacy improves after educational program. Further study in this regards, recommended. Keywords: Health literacy, educational program, health care workers, developing country