News

PSA Grants Clearance to the National Health Literacy Survey




Reference Number: 2018-100




 

Release Date: 

Friday, June 22, 2018

 

On 11 June 2018, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) approved the conduct of the National Health Literacy Survey (NHLS). The survey is a project of the Health Promotion and Communication Service of the Department of Health (DOH) in cooperation with the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) - Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and will be conducted by the College of Public Health (CPH) Foundation, Inc. of the University of the Philippines-Manila.
 
The results of the NHLS will be used by the DOH to determine the proportion of Filipinos with inadequate, problematic, sufficient and excellent levels of health literacy and to compare these levels across different dimensions and domains of health literacy. Furthermore, the DOH will use the findings to describe the health literacy levels according to selected socio-demographic and health-related characteristics.
 
The data items to be collected in the survey include the following:
 
  • Demographics: age, marital status, religion, education level, occupation
  • Health Information: health insurance status, use of health services, smoking, alcohol, physical activities
  • Health literacy skills of accessing, understanding, appraising and applying health information
  • Functional health literacy
The survey will collect data from 2,300 respondents across four (4) major groupings in the country namely NCR, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao starting August 2018. 
 
A total budget amounting to Php 13.9 million will be utilized to cover personal services, maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) such as travelling expenses, supplies and printing of materials. 
 
Results of the survey are expected to be released in April 2019.
 
The approval of the NHLS is pursuant to the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), a mechanism being implemented by the PSA by virtue of Rule 28 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 10625 to:
 
  • ensure sound design for data collection;
  • minimize the burden placed upon respondents; 
  • effect economy in statistical data collection; 
  • eliminate unnecessary duplication of statistical data collection efforts; and 
  • achieve better coordination of government statistical activities.
 
In line with this, the PSA enjoins the public to support the said survey.
 
For further information on SSRCS, please contact the Statistical Standards Division (SSD) of the Standards Service (SS) with telephone numbers (02) 376-1928 and (02) 376-1931, and email address: ssd.staff@psa.gov.ph or ssdss.staff@gmail.com.
 
 
FOR THE NATIONAL STATISTICIAN
 
 
ROMEO S. RECIDE
Assistant Secretary
(Deputy National Statistician)
Officer-in-Charge
 
 

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