Strong health concepts, weak combat casualty care skills, poor common disease prevention: health literacy status of logistics and equipment support personnel and targeted improvement strategies

As a critical support component of the operational system, military logistics and equipment support personnel play a pivotal role in the generation and maintenance of combat force, with their health literacy levels directly influencing these outcomes. However, research focusing on the health literacy of this specific population remains lacking. This study aimed to investigate the current status of health literacy and its influencing factors among logistics and equipment support personnel, thereby providing empirical evidence for constructing a health management system.

A cross-sectional study design was adopted. From April 15 to 30, 2025, 722 logistics and equipment support personnel stationed in a city in western China were selected by cluster sampling. Military Personnel Health Literacy Questionnaire was employed for on-site assessments, encompassing 4 dimensions (basic health concepts, basic health knowledge, basic health skills, and basic health behaviors) and 6 specific categories (military personnel health concepts, prevention of military training injuries, military personnel mental health, combat self-aid and buddy-aid, prevention and control of common diseases in military units, and health management). The questionnaire consists of 40 items with a total score of 50 points. Health literacy was defined as achieving≥80% of the total score (score≥40 points). The health literacy rate was calculated using the formula: Health literacy rate= (Number of individuals with adequate health literacy/Total number of valid respondents) × 100%. Spearman analysis was used to examine health literacy-related factors, and multivariable logistic regression was applied to analyze influencing factors for health literacy.

The overall rate of adequate health literacy among the surveyed military logistics and equipment support personnel was 38. 14%. Among the 4 dimensions of health literacy, the rate of basic health concept literacy demonstrated the highest level (57. 57%), while the rate of basic health knowledge literacy showed the lowest level (22. 57%). Among the 6 specific categories of health literacy, the rate of military health concept literacy was as high as 99. 57%, whereas the rate of literacy in the prevention and control of common diseases in military units was only 16. 00%. The overall correct response rate for health literacy was 77. 99%, with 7 items having a correct response rate of less than 60%;among these, the correct response rate for limb fracture fixation techniques was the lowest (31. 86%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that identity category (officer, conscript, etc.) and smoking status were independent influencing factors for health literacy. Compared with conscripts, officers had a significantly higher likelihood of having adequate health literacy (OR=4. 960, 95%CI:1. 785 to 13. 783). In addition, smokers had a lower level of health literacy than non-smokers (OR=0. 662, 95%CI:0. 471 to 0. 930).

Health literacy among logistics and equipment support personnel is characterized by strong health concepts, weak combat casualty care skills, and poor competence in the prevention and control of common diseases. It is recommended that future health intervention measures focus on smokers and conscripts, with routine training programs focusing on the prevention and control of military common diseases, military personnel mental health, and combat self-aid and buddy-aid skills.