Health literacy and risk of viral hepatitis among Chinese school children

Dangui Zhang; Darong Wen; Ganyuan He; Zhenyu Chen; Wenrui Zeng; Lichun Lu; Chuangfeng Huang; William Ba-Thein

doi:10.3855/jidc.17426

Health literacy and risk of viral hepatitis among Chinese school children

Authors

Dangui Zhang Research Center of Translational Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
Darong Wen Undergraduate Research Training Program (UGRTP), Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
Ganyuan He Undergraduate Research Training Program (UGRTP), Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
Zhenyu Chen Undergraduate Research Training Program (UGRTP), Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
Wenrui Zeng Undergraduate Research Training Program (UGRTP), Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
Lichun Lu Undergraduate Research Training Program (UGRTP), Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
Chuangfeng Huang Undergraduate Research Training Program (UGRTP), Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
William Ba-Thein Clinical Research Unit, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.17426

Keywords:

hepatitis, health literacy, school, education, adolescent

Abstract

Introduction: Poor literacy is associated with hepatitis morbidity and mortality. Adolescents are especially at risk of hepatitis C. This study investigated viral hepatitis literacy, risk, and influencing factors among Chinese middle and high school students.

Methodology: A supervised self-administered survey was conducted with school children from six schools in Shantou, China. Data on demographics, health literacy, and risk of viral hepatitis were analyzed.

Results: A total of 1732 students (from three middle and three high schools) participated in the study. Their major information resources were the internet (39.5%, 685/1732), television (28.8%, 498/1732), family (27.7%, 479/1732), and school (21.2%, 368/1732). The mean literacy score on the manifestations and risk factors of hepatitis was 3.4 ± 2.2 and 4.0 ± 2.3 (out of 8), respectively. Multiple linear regression models showed being female and in high school, having parents with higher education levels, and school or clinicians as an information resource were independent positive predictors, whereas poor awareness of risk factors was a negative predictor for health literacy.

Conclusions: We report the risk of hepatitis among Chinese middle and high school students due to limited literacy and poor attitudes towards health-risk behaviors. Health education in school is recommended for preventable health risks among Chinese adolescents.

Author Biography

William Ba-Thein, Clinical Research Unit, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China

Dept. of Microbiology/Immunology and Clinical Research Unit Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong,P.R. China

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Published

2023-03-31

How to Cite

Zhang D, Wen D, He G, Chen Z, Zeng W, Lu L, Huang C, Ba-Thein W (2023) Health literacy and risk of viral hepatitis among Chinese school children. J Infect Dev Ctries 17:404–410. doi: 10.3855/jidc.17426

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Issue

Vol. 17 No. 03: March 2023

Section

Original Articles

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