FUNCTIONAL HEALTH LITERACY IN PREGNANT WOMEN IN HEALTH CENTERS OF URMIA CITY- 2015

Mothers' health literacy is a key and important factor in ensuring prenatal cares,
prenatal health, and the successful outcomes of this period. This study was aimed to determine the level
of Functional Health Literacy in pregnant women in health centers of Urmia city.
Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study done on 400 pregnant women referred to health
centers, which had the inclusion criteria. Data Collection tool includes two-parts; first part of
questionnaire, questions about demographic characteristics and second part was Functional Health
Literacy Inventory short form( S-TOFHLA). We used the software SPSS (version 17) and descriptive
statistical analysis was performed. Significant level was considered less than 0.05.
Results: The mean age of participants in the study, 27.3 ± 5.99 years. The majority of participants are
primary school (42.3%), housewives (84%) and Underpaid daily life (83.6%). The mean gestational age
was 21.9 ± 7.65 weeks and 24% had inadequate levels of literacy, 25% border literacy and 51% adequate
literacy.
Conclusion: The results indicate that the level of functional literacy of most mothers in this study is
sufficient. However, considering the effect of mothers' health literacy on the health of the child and the
family, and according to the results of this study, the income of the household and the mother's
occupation and education plays an important role in promoting health literacy, So, in order to promote
the health literacy of all pregnant women; macroeconomic, social and health policies should be taken.
And then we can see an improvement in the health literacy of all mothers, including mothers living in
the city and rural areas, at every level of economic income and all sections of society.