Original Articles
29 July 2025

Health literacy and preventive behaviors among healthcare workers in southeastern Iran during COVID-19: a web-based survey analysis

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This study examines health literacy and preventive behaviors during COVID-19 among healthcare workers in southeastern Iran. Health literacy, which encompasses skills like reading, listening, and decision-making in health contexts, significantly influences personal health responsibility and attitudes. The study used a descriptive-analytical approach, surveying 400 healthcare workers through an online questionnaire. The questionnaire addressed demographics, preventive behaviors based on guidelines from the Iranian Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization, and COVID-19 health literacy. Analysis in SPSS V. 21 revealed that avoiding hugging and kissing (32%) and wearing masks (28.7%) were the most common preventive behaviors. Among participants, 54% had sufficient health literacy, 32% were borderline, and 16% were insufficient. Female workers showed higher compliance with preventive measures, and 75.3% had received the COVID-19 vaccine. A significant link was found between health literacy levels and adherence to preventive behaviors (p<0.001). The results highlight that insufficient health literacy often hinders effective COVID-19 preventive behaviors among these workers. Consequently, targeted interventions are necessary to enhance health literacy and support better preventive practices in this group.

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1.
Health literacy and preventive behaviors among healthcare workers in southeastern Iran during COVID-19: a web-based survey analysis. Mental Wellness [Internet]. 2025 Jul. 29 [cited 2025 Aug. 2];3. Available from: https://www.mental-wellness-journal.net/mw/article/view/22