Abstract
Background. The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is one of the most important public health issues, and the evaluation and improvement of COVID-19 health literacy and self-care can be effective in preventing its spread. This study was conducted to investigate the health literacy of COVID-19 and its relationship with self-care among the health ambassadors of Urmia in 2021.
Methods. In this descriptive-analytical study, 400 health ambassadors of Urmia were selected using the cluster random sampling method. The data-gathering tool was a questionnaire, including questions about self-care, COVID-19 health literacy, and demographic information. The data were analyzed by SPSS 19 using analysis of variance and regression tests.
Results. COVID-19-related health literacy was reported to be at a good level (63.5%) in most health ambassadors. In addition, it had a statistically significant relationship with the level of education and economic status. Similarly, there was a significant relationship between self-care and demographic characteristics such as age, gender, level of education, occupation, and economic status (P>0.05). On the other hand, according to data analysis results, with an increase in health literacy related to COVID-19, regression modeling could predict 22% of self-care behaviors in the participants of the present study.
Conclusion. Overall, there is a need for interventions by healthcare professionals for training to increase health literacy related to COVID-19 that results in self-care and adoption of health behaviors in health ambassadors, given the significance of COVID-19-related health literacy and its effects on self-care in these ambassadors.
Practical Implications. The findings of this study can be presented to the Deputy of Health and healthcare providers so that actions can be taken to promote health literacy and self-care and prevent similar epidemics.