Health Literacy and Health Behaviors of University Staff in Thailand: A Causal Mediation Analysis

Abstract

Background/problem: Health literacy and adopting healthy behaviors are essential components for university staff to sustain their well-being, improve productivity, avert illness, and cultivate a supportive, health-oriented workplace atmosphere. Objective/purpose: This study seeks to investigate the causal determinants influencing the health literacy and health behavior of staff at universities in Thailand. Design and Methodology: Cluster sampling was employed, using a quantitative research design, involving 320 university personnel in Thailand. The research tools used were questionnaires. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics and component-based structural equation modeling. Results: Results of the study demonstrated that 1) health empowerment positively effects both health literacy (β =.60, p <.001) and health behavior (β =.39, p <.001); 2) social support has a positive effect on health literacy (β=.28, p <.001) and health behavior (β =.11, p =.04), and 3) health literacy positively effects on health behavior (β =.38, p <.001). The factor loadings of all observed variables were significantly different from zero at a statistical significance. Health empowerment and health literacy exhibit a statistically significant indirect effect on health behavior through health literacy (β =.23, p <.001), suggesting that health literacy serves as a partial mediator. Conclusion and Implications: This study highlights the effect of health literacy on health behavior and finds that health empowerment is a crucial factor in promoting health behavior. Recommendations from this research suggest promoting health literacy and empowering university staff to effectively use health information to make informed decisions.