Influence of health literacy on lifestyle and health seeking behavior among Anglican clergy in Enugu state, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Health Literacy measure patient’s ability to read, comprehend and act on medical instructions. It influences lifestyle and Health Seeking Behaviour.

Objectives: This was to determine the effects of Health Literacy on lifestyle and Health Seeking Behavior of clergymen in Enugu state, Nigeria.

Design: A quantitative study with a descriptive cross – sectional design. A multistage sampling technique, applied to select 402 clergies. A researcher designed a semi structured self-administered questionnaire, and a modified standard Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adult were the data collection instruments.

Settings: Study was conducted at Enugu.

Results: The mean age of respondents was 47.96 years ± 9.644 years. Most of them, 186 (46.3%), were in Enugu while 115 (28.6%) and 101 (25.1%) were in Nike and Enugu North dioceses respectively. Almost all, 394 (98.0%) were married; and all of them attended tertiary education. More than 43.5% of them had served as clergy for 10 – 20 years. Information source were mainly health workers (104; 25.9%), television and social media (78, 19.4%). Having heard about Health Literacy, understanding of Health Literacy and source of Health Literacy information did not significantly affect their illness and preventive Health Behaviour (P<0.05). However, it significantly affected their lifestyle in the areas of choice of diet (χ2=38.715; P=0.03); smoking habit (χ2=25.281; P=0.000); and use of recreational drugs (χ2=16.882; P=0.010)

Conclusion: Heath Literacy was high among clergy in Enugu State, Nigeria and significantly affected the Health Seeking Behaviour and lifestyles of the clergies. Most of the clergy also had good awareness and knowledge of Health Literacy. Sustained gains are advocated through targeted health education intervention.