ABSTRACT
Objective To learn the current status of health literacy of residents in Wenling City, and to explore the relationship between health literacy and socioeconomic status. Methods A total of 3200 residents aged 15-69 years old from 6 townships were selected by stratified multi-stage random sampling method and probability proportionate to size sampling (PPS) method, and a questionnaire surveyed was conducted. Results Totally 3189 questionnaires were effective and the overall level of health literacy of residents was 19.79％ (631/3189) . The percentages of residents who had the basic health knowledge and concept, healthy lifestyle and behavior, health related skills were 23.27％、 24.21％ and 23.83％, respectively. About 55.47％ of residents had the literacy of safety and first-aid, which was the highest, followed by 38.66％ with scientific health belief, 32.77％ with literacy for disease prevention, 26.12％ with health information, 14.14％ with primary medical care and 7.49％ with the literacy for chronic disease prevention. Logistic regression model showed that the health literacy level with institutions class was 2.25 times of manual workers class, and the health literacy level of people have bachelor degree or above was 6.93 times less literate or illiterate, and the health literacy level of family income of 200 thousand Yuan and above was 7.70 times of 0～50 thousand Yuan. The health literacy were different among different socioeconomic status residents (P<0.01) . Conclusion There are obvious gaps in health literacy among different socioeconomic status groups. Health education should be strengthened among residents, especially among the manual workers class, low education class and low income class.