Health Literacy and Preferred Sources of Health Information among Mothers Attending Comprehensive Health Service Centers in Semnan County

Abstract

This descriptive-analytical study aimed to assess the health literacy status among mothers and their preferred sources of health information in 2023. Study carried out on 330 mothers attending comprehensive health service centers (CHC) in Semnan County to monitor the health of their two-year-old children. Data collection tools included demographic information, the Iranian Adults Health Literacy (HELIA) questionnaire, and a checklist regarding health information sources. The data were organized and analyzed using SPSS25 with appropriate statistical tests. The mean age of the mothers was 32.5 ± 5.5 years. Approximately 43% held a Bachelor's degree, 69% were housewives, and 31% were employed. The overall average health literacy score was 68.39%, with the highest score in the access sub-domain (75.36%) and the lowest in the evaluation sub-domain (38.69%). Healthcare providers (44.2%) and the internet and social media (32.7%) were the most utilized sources for obtaining health information. The health literacy status of mothers was relatively favorable. Mothers' reliance on healthcare providers to receive appropriate health information is logical and meanwhile internet and social media plays critical role in health information and can be account as e learning source. However, it needs to enhance access and use of accurate and reliable information.