Health Literacy Associated with Sweet Consumption Behaviors among Students of Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University
Keywords:
Health literacy, Students, Sweet consumption behaviorsAbstract
Abstract
The objectives of this survey research were to study the level of health literacy on sweet consumption behaviors and to identify the factors associated with health literacy on sweet consumption behaviors among students of Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University. The sample consisted of 421 participants, which were selected using multi-stage random sampling. Data were collected from June 2024 to March 2025. A questionnaire was used as the research instrument. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including percentage, mean, standard deviation, maximum, and minimum values, and inferential statistics, namely Pearson’s correlation coefficient.
The results revealed that most of the students were female (55.3%), with an average age of 19 years (S.D.=0.46) and a maximum age of 25 years. The students’ sweet consumption behaviors were at an occasional level, with a mean score of 2.20 (S.D.=0.42). Factors found to be associated with health literacy on sweet consumption behaviors included knowledge of accessing health information and services, understanding of health information and services, communication skills, self-management skills, decision-making skills, and media literacy skills with a statistical significance level (p<0.05). Therefore, relevant agencies such as student affairs offices and community health centers should continuously promote knowledge and monitor food consumption among students. Additionally, they should establish guidelines, measures, or models for ongoing student health care within the university to raise awareness and encourage appropriate behaviors, which will contribute to good health status in the future.
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