The Effect of Health Literacy of Teachers and Parents on the Quality of Life of Primary School Students

Overview

Health literacy (HL) is defined by the World Health Organization as "the achievement of a level of knowledge, personal skills, and confidence to take action to improve individual and community health by changing lifestyle and living conditions". Health literacy encompasses various skills that enhance individuals' quality of life, such as accessing accurate health information, adopting healthy lifestyle behaviours, utilizing healthcare services, and making informed health-related decisions. To raise the health literacy of a society, it is essential first to identify and enhance the health literacy of the family, the smallest unit of society. Moreover, it is well-established that parents serve as role models in fostering positive health behaviours and improving the quality of life of their children. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the impact of the health literacy of teachers and parents, who are thought to influence school-age children's perceptions of health and life, on the quality of life of primary school students.

Health literacy (HL) is defined by the World Health Organization as "achieving a level of knowledge, personal skills, and confidence to take action to improve individual and community health by changing lifestyle and living conditions". Health literacy is considered a concept encompassing various skills that enhance individuals' quality of life, such as accessing accurate health information, adopting healthy lifestyle behaviours, utilizing healthcare services, and making informed health-related decisions. To improve society's health literacy, it is crucial first to identify and develop the health literacy of the family, the smallest unit of society. Adult family members are not only responsible for their health but also for fostering their children's health behaviours and meeting their health needs. Parents are known to serve as role models in encouraging positive health behaviours and enhancing their children's quality of life. Low health literacy in adults is associated with adverse health outcomes. Parents who struggle to take responsibility for their health are likely to face challenges in addressing their children's health needs, which may lead to frequent health problems in children. Studies reveal that parents with low health literacy are insufficient in meeting their children's health needs, utilizing healthcare services, taking precautions against health risks, ensuring proper medication use and monitoring side effects, managing chronic illnesses, and encouraging their children to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviours. The school-age period is particularly significant as it is a critical phase of rapid social, physical, and cognitive development, shaping a healthy and successful society. Schools are central to children's social interactions, where they spend most of their time, and thus teachers play an important role as role models in their lives. Studies in our country indicate that teachers' health literacy levels are often insufficient. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of teachers' and parents' health literacy, thought to influence school-age children's perceptions of health and life, on the quality of life of primary school students. The study is expected to contribute to protecting public health, developing health services and policies aimed at improving the health literacy of parents and teachers and preventing health inequalities by enhancing students' quality of life.