COVID-19-Related Knowledge and Health Literacy Among Village Heads (Muhtars) and Their Relatıves: A Pre-Test–Post-Test Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate COVID-19-related knowledge and health literacy levels among village heads and their relatives in the Çarşamba district of Samsun, Türkiye, and to assess the effectiveness of a structured educational intervention.Methods: This descriptive study included 206 participants between December 18, 2020, and June 30, 2021. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Turkish Health Literacy Scale-32 (THLS-32), and a COVID-19 Knowledge Questionnaire. Pre- and postintervention knowledge levels were compared using appropriate statistical analyses.Results: The mean age of the participants was 48.46 ± 10.06 years, and 55.3% were village heads. Most participants had inadequate or problematic-limited health literacy levels. The mean number of correct responses increased significantly from 10.22 ± 2.33 before training to 14.99 ± 1.20 after training (P < .001). Significant improvements were observed in correct response rates for most questionnaire items.Conclusion: Village heads and their relatives had limited COVID-19-related knowledge and health literacy; however, structured educational interventions significantly improved knowledge levels. Community-based health literacy interventions may support preventive health practices and strengthen health communication in family medicine and primary care settings.