Association between health literacy and sociodemographic characteristics of rural workers

a cross-sectional observational study

Authors

Keywords:

Health Literacy, Rural Population, Rural Health, Health Behavior, Nursing

Abstract

Objective: To assess health literacy and its association with the sociodemographic characteristics of rural workers.

Method: Observational, quantitative, descriptive, and analytical study conducted with 101 rural workers in the municipality of Arapiraca, Alagoas, Brazil, between 2022 and 2023. A sociodemographic questionnaire and the Health Literacy Scale-14 instrument were used to assess health literacy. Individuals aged 18 years or older, living in rural areas, users of the selected Primary Health Care units, and engaged in agricultural activities were included. Descriptive and inferential data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, applying the chi-square test.

Results: Low health literacy predominated, corresponding to 56 cases (55.4%). Functional literacy presented the lowest levels, whereas the communicative and critical domains presented higher scores. A statistically significant association was observed between health literacy and educational level (p=0.007).

Conclusion: Low health literacy may influence the health choices of the rural population, highlighting the importance of the nurse in developing these skills.

Author Biographies

Mairy Edith Batista Sampaio, Federal University of Alagoas, Alagoas, Maceió, AL, Brasil.

Nurse. Graduated in Nursing from the Federal University of Alagoas. Resident in Dermatological Nursing at the General Hospital of the State of Alagoas, Maceió, AL, Brazil.

Ana Karla Alves de Almeida, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, AL, Brazil.

Nurse. Graduated in Nursing from the Federal University of Alagoas. Master's student in Nursing at the Postgraduate Program in Nursing at the Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, AL, Brazil.

Thayse Gomes de Almeida, Federal University of Alagoas, Arapiraca, AL, Brazil.

Nurse. PhD in Nursing. Professor at the Federal University of Alagoas, Arapiraca, AL, Brazil.

Stéfanie Carvalho Quintela, State Health Department, Arapiraca, AL, Brazil.

Nurse. Specialist in General Emergency and Pre-Hospital Care. State Health Department, Arapiraca, AL, Brazil.

Naiana Oliveira dos Santos, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.

Nurse. PhD in Nursing. Professor at the Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.

Andreivna Kharenine Serbim, Federal University of Alagoas, Arapiraca, AL, Brazil.

Nurse. PhD in Nursing. Professor at the Federal University of Alagoas, Arapiraca, AL, Brazil.

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Published

2026-09-15

How to Cite

Sampaio, M. E. B., de Almeida, A. K. A., de Almeida, T. G., Quintela, S. C., dos Santos, N. O., & Serbim, A. . K. (2026). Association between health literacy and sociodemographic characteristics of rural workers: a cross-sectional observational study. Cogitare Enfermagem, 31. Retrieved from https://revistas.ufpr.br/cogitare/article/view/102206

Issue

Vol. 31 (2026)

Section

Original Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Mairy Edith Batista Sampaio, Ana Karla Alves de Almeida, Thayse Gomes de Almeida, Stéfanie Carvalho Quintela, Naiana Oliveira dos Santos, Andreivna Kharenine Serbim

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