The Relationship between Health Literacy and Organizational Culture among the Staff of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences

Organizational culture can have a positive effect on health information and including organizational culture in discussions of health literacy influences the recognition of health as a cultural concept. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the relationship between health literacy and organizational culture among the staff of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences in 2018.

This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 137 employees of the faculties and the central organization of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences who were selected by census method. The Health Literacy and Organizational Culture Questionnaire was used to collect data. Chi-square, Pearson correlation coefficient, and ANOVA were used to analyze the data. Data were entered into SPSS statistical software version 21.

The mean age of the study participants was 38.9 years. The highest mean scores of health literacy and organizational culture were for understanding and participation, respectively, and the lowest were for decision-making and adaptability, respectively. Peoplechr('39')s health literacy status as related to organizational culture was good. All four dimensions of organizational culture had a significant relationship with decision-making and evaluation of health literacy. Education had a significant relationship only with the adaptability dimension of organizational culture and age had a significant relationship only with access and reading health literacy.

Improving the organizational culture of employees through personnel training, organizational learning, organizational change, and including these items in strategic planning can improve their health literacy.