Objective To learn about the health literacy status among students of grade seven in Putuo District and identify potential factors affecting adolescents' health literacy, so as to provide a basis for making relevant health education strategies.
Methods A total of 420 grade seven students of 13 classes of 11 junior high schools were selected by cluster random sampling from all the classes of grade seven that enrolled in 2011 in Putuo District of Shanghai. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among them.
Results The median (P25-P75) of total correct answer rate of the health literacy questionnaire was 74.55% (67.27%-78.18%), and the medians of four dimensions including scientific concept of health and healthy lifestyle, prevention of common diseases, basic medical knowledge and skills, and safety and emergency response were 73.33% (66.67%-80.00%), 62.50% (56.25%-75.00%), 72.73% (63.64%-81.82%), and 85.71% (78.57%-100.00%), respectively. Only 17.00% subjects were graded as having health literacy (total correct answer rate >80.00%). No statistical differences were found among students categorized by gender, household registration, or ethnic group, but there was a difference between schools with and without health promoting programs (P=0.002).
Conclusion The average health literacy level of the grade seven students in Putuo District is generally on the high side but still need improvement. Whether health promoting program is launched in the adolescents' schools could be a remarkable factor affecting their health literacy.
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