Debbie Habedi
University of South Africa, South Africa
Title: Health literacy among school youth cricket players in Gauteng province of South Africa
Biography
Biography: Debbie Habedi
Abstract
Health literacy is recognized by the Global Institute of Medicine as a critical and essential component of high-quality health care. Notably, in health-care related policy and research, the term “health literacy” is often applied to a set of skills that are required to function well in the health care or public health setting. The role of literacy in health care has been less extensively studied for child health compared with adult health (De Walt 2009, 266). Therefore, it is important to involve youth cricket players in health literacy knowledge sharing so that they can live a positive healthy lifestyle. Nowadays, youth are victims of different health risk and destructive behaviors such crime, drug and substance abuse especially in Black townships. The study employed a qualitative research approach to explore the views and roles of youth cricket players with regard to health literacy by means of three focus group discussions. A non-probability technique was used to purposively select the participants. Thematic content analysis approach for data analysis was used. Awareness of basic health information emerged as a theme. Findings provide an insight of the youth with regards to basic health information needs. Lifelong learning of youth about health literacy is needed.