Health Literacy and Awareness on Selected Health Programs in Tagbilaran City

Abstract

Health literacy and awareness of health programs are critical determinants of effective health service utilization and improved health outcomes. While national data on health literacy in the Philippines are available, city-level evidence integrating both health literacy and health program awareness remains limited, particularly in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. This study used a descriptive cross-sectional correlational design to determine the level of health literacy and awareness of selected health programs among 395 adult residents from 15 barangays in Tagbilaran City. Stratified random sampling was employed. Health literacy was measured using the HLS-EU-Q47 questionnaire, while awareness of selected health programs-including maternal health, infant and child care, communicable and non-communicable diseases, and service delivery networks-was assessed using a standardized awareness tool. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were conducted at a 0.05 significance level. The overall mean health literacy score was 30.22, reflecting a problematic level across the domains of healthcare, disease prevention, and health promotion, with disease prevention scoring the lowest. Conversely, respondents demonstrated a high overall level of awareness of selected health programs (mean = 2.81), although awareness related to communicable and non-communicable disease programs was comparatively lower. Educational attainment and occupation were significantly associated with health literacy, while sex and income were significantly associated with awareness levels. A moderate positive correlation was found between health literacy and awareness of health programs (Spearman’s p = 0.605, p < 0.001). Although awareness of health programs in Tagbilaran City is generally high, residents exhibit limited health literacy skills necessary for informed health decision-making.