RESUMEN
Background: The identification, prevention and control of the common risk factors are the basic element in prevention and control of NCDs. However, the paucity of information on risk factors is one of the major challenges in the prevention and control of these diseases. The use of tobacco is one of the main risk factors of major NCDs. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence, and socioeconomic and demographic determinants of current tobacco use among adults residing in urban area of Thanlyin Township, Yangon Region. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 468 adults. Multi-stage random sampling was applied. Data entry and analysis was done using Stata 11.0 statistical package. Results: The prevalence of current smoking, current use of smokeless tobacco and current tobacco use were 27.6%, 35.7% and 48.1%, respectively. Age, sex, marital status and occupation were significantly associated with both current smoking and current use of smokeless tobacco. There was a significant decreasing trend of current smokeless tobacco use across the levels of education. Besides, age, sex, education and occupation were detected as significant determinants of current tobacco use. Conclusions: There is an urgent need to curb the use of tobacco in urban area, especially among males and young adults. Tobacco control policy in Myanmar should be strengthened or reinforced to reduce tobacco consumption in the country. Education status of the population should also be improved.
RESUMEN
Background: Health literacy means cognitive and social skills of an individual that determine his or her ability to access, understand and use health information in order to promote and maintain good health. Health literacy is important not only for health but also for socioeconomic development because limited health literacy increases health care cost. Objective: To determine the status and determinants of health literacy, and association between health literacy and health-risk behaviours among Myanmar population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1367 adults. Multi-stage random sampling was applied. Data entry and analysis was done using Stata 11.0 statistical package. Results: The prevalence of satisfactory, intermediate and poor health literacy were about 31.5% (95% CI: 29.1%, 34.1%), 40.3% (95% CI: 37.7%, 43.0%), and 28.2% (95% CI: 25.8%, 30.6%), respectively. Age, sex, marital status, education, sufficiency of expenditure, watching medical-related TV series, accessibility to education & health education courses, ability to pay for medication and affordability to see medical doctors were detected as significant determinants of health literacy. Health literacy was also significantly related to health-risk behaviors such as smoking, betel chewing, and not taking regular exercise. There was marginal association between health literacy and alcohol drinking (p = 0.064). Conclusions: The present study encourages efforts to improve health literacy in the Myanmar adults by enhancing health education and health promotion activities. It is also important to improve their socio-economic status.