Publication date: Aug 30, 2024
Infectious disease-specific health literacy (IDSHL) is a crucial factor in the development of infectious diseases. It plays a significant role not only in mitigating the resurgence of infectious diseases but also in effectively averting the emergence of novel infections such as COVID-19. During the 3 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, China primarily adopted nonpharmaceutical interventions, advocating for people to avoid crowded places and wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Consequently, there has been a dearth of research concerning IDSHL and its corresponding focal points for health education. This study aimed to (1) evaluate the changes in IDSHL scores between 2019 (before the COVID-19 pandemic) and 2022 (the postepidemic period of COVID-19) and (2) explore the risk factors affecting IDSHL using a multivariate logistic regression analysis. This study used 2-round cross-sectional surveys, conducted in 2019 and 2022, respectively, in 30 counties in Zhejiang Province, China. Multiple-stage stratified random sampling was used to select households, and a Kish grid was used to identify participants. An identical standardized questionnaire consisting of 12 closed-ended questions was used to measure IDSHL scores before and after the COVID-19 pandemic (2019 and 2022). Standard descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, t tests, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the data. The 2-round cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2019 and 2022 yielded, out of 19,366 and 19,221 total questionnaires, 19,257 (99. 44% response rate) and 18,857 (98. 11% response rate) valid questionnaires, respectively. The correct response rate for the respiratory infectious diseases question “When coughing or sneezing, which of the following is correct?” increased from 29. 10% in 2019 to 37. 92% in 2022 (χ^21=332. 625; P
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Semantics
Type | Source | Name |
---|---|---|
disease | MESH | Infectious Disease |
pathway | REACTOME | Infectious disease |
disease | MESH | COVID-19 Pandemic |
disease | MESH | infections |