*Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, D.D.U. Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur-273009 (U.P.), India
**Ph.D., Department of Psychology, D.D.U. Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur-273009 (U.P.), India
Online published on 21 April, 2016.
The present investigation was carried out to understand the health literacy levels of rural women and how this literacy is influencing their health practices. The data was collected on 60 women. Amongst them 30 were Health workers (under Asha & Anganwadi scheme of Government of India) and 30 were housewives residing at Sabia village of Kushinagar district of eastern Utter Pradesh, India. In-depth interview responses had made it clear that the high health literacy group of participants i.e. Asha & Anganwadi health workers were doing health enhancing practices more than low health literacy group i.e. home makers as well as they were aware of benefits of maintaining general hygiene, causes of chronic and contagious diseases, knowledge about vaccination programs and the purpose of vaccination and how to prevent contagious diseases. The Asha & Anganwadi health workers also showed very few harmful health beliefs. The findings were discussed in the light of health literacy and advocacy among women.
Health literacy, health beliefs
