Health Literacy on “Reducing Sugar, Salt, and Fat by Taking Fruits and Vegetables” in Rangsit Municipal, Thailand

Abstract

In the digital society, online data in the internet effects students’ daily lives. Nowadays, students should learn about health literacy which includes access to health information and services, knowledge and understanding on health, health communication, self-management skills to plan for healthy lifestyles, and decision-making skills for health practice. Students should understand the source of information which were searched, for their decision making and when forwarding to others. Therefore, self-management and decision skills must be implemented with media literacy. This study aimed to develop health literacy skills through information searching and knowledge transfer learning bases. This one-group experimental design included 3 learning bases: information skills, digital skills, and responsibility skills. Pretest, posttest, and in-depth interview were used to assess the program outcome. The target sample was 150 students in grade 6 and grade 7. The outcome showed that, compared to pretests, students had significantly higher digital skills in knowledge of relevant information from a variety of sources as well as identifying name of websites and their reliability. From in-depth interviews, it was found that students usually seek information from friends at pretest, but they finally realize that correct information should derive from teachers. From health literacy information, students could create plans for changing their behavior to lose weight and consumed more fruits and vegetables for good health.