Performance motivation and Dhammanamai health literacy according to Thai traditional medicine among village health volunteers in Uthaithani province

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to explain levels of Dhammanamai health literacy, investigate relevant factors, and identify the predicting factors of Dhammanamai health literacy according to Thai traditional medicine among village health volunteers (VHVs). The reliability and validity from 390 VHVs were selected by proportional multi-stage sampling. Data were collected through a questionnaire from March - May 2022 in Uthaithani Province, Thailand. Data were analyzed through descriptive analysis, Mann Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test and logistic regression. The results of the study showed that most of the VHVs had adequate levels of Dhammanamai health literacy ( X ̅= 61.22, SD. = 13.87), while gender (p = 0.023), occupation (p = 0.026), monthly income (p = 0.004), ability to use a smartphone/computer (p = 0.029), recognition of volunteer roles and duties (p < 0.001), performance motivation (p < 0.001), and social support (p < 0.001) were significantly related to Dhammanamai health literacy. The predicting factors that influenced Dhammanamai health literacy among VHVs were as follows: 1) performance motivation (OR= 1.175, CI=1.055–1.309); 2) age (OR= 1.041, CI=1.012–1.071); 3) occupation (OR= 1.878, CI=1.179–2.990). A very strong variable was performance motivation. In combination, all these factors could predict the Dhammanamai health literacy of the VHVs at 20.7%. We recommend interventions on performance motivation, age, and occupation with the organization of a program to promote Dhammanamai health literacy for VHVs to be ready to perform their duties in the community, including the provision of knowledge to the public.