The Impact of the Ecosystem on Health Literacy Among Rural Communities in Protected Areas: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study

Nor Aziah Abd Kadir; Amirah Azzeri; Hafiz Jaafar; Mohd Iqbal Mohd Noor; Zurina Kefeli

doi:10.2196/51851

The Impact of the Ecosystem on Health Literacy Among Rural Communities in Protected Areas: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study

JMIR Res Protoc. 2024 Jan 29:13:e51851. doi: 10.2196/51851.

Authors

Nor Aziah Abd Kadir^{1

2}, Amirah Azzeri¹, Hafiz Jaafar¹, Mohd Iqbal Mohd Noor^{2

3}, Zurina Kefeli⁴

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.
² Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Pahang, Kampus Raub, Raub, Malaysia.
³ Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability Development, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia.
⁴ Faculty of Economics and Muamalat, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.

PMID: 38285500
PMCID: PMC10862236
DOI: 10.2196/51851

Abstract

Background: Protected areas are crucial for the maintenance of human health and well-being. They aim to preserve biodiversity and natural resources to secure various ecosystem services that are beneficial to human health. Their ecological characteristics can influence local health literacy. Typically, communities surrounding protected areas have limited economic opportunities due to restriction policies to protect the ecosystem, resulting in socioeconomic disparities. The local community faces obstacles in gaining access to health care facilities and health information due to these limitations. It is difficult for them to locate, comprehend, and apply information and services to make better health-related decisions for themselves and others.

Objective: This study protocol examines the impact of the ecosystem on health literacy among rural communities in protected areas.

Methods: This study comprises 5 phases. In phase 1, we conduct a systematic review to identify the issue of health literacy in protected areas. In phase 2, we will collect data from stakeholders in a protected area of Pahang National Park and analyze the results using Net-Map analysis. In phase 3, we will conduct a survey among the adult community in Pahang National Park related to health literacy, socioeconomic status, health expenditure, and quality of life. In phase 4, informed by the results of the survey, we will determine suitable intervention programs to improve health literacy through a focus group discussion. Finally, in phase 5, we will conduct a costing analysis to analyze which intervention program is the most cost-effective.

Results: This study was funded by Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) and strategic research partnership grants, and enrollment is ongoing. The first results are expected to be submitted for publication in 2024.

Conclusions: This is one of the first studies to explore health literacy among rural communities in protected areas and will provide the first insights into the overall level of health literacy in the protected community, potential determinants, and a suitable intervention program with expected cost analysis. The results can be used to promote health literacy in other protected areas and populations.

Trial registration: International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number Registry ISRCTN40626062; http://tinyurl.com/4kjxuwk5.

International registered report identifier (irrid): PRR1-10.2196/51851.

Keywords: Net-Map; ecosystem; health literacy; protected areas; protocol; quality of life; rural communities.

©Nor Aziah Abd Kadir, Amirah Azzeri, Hafiz Jaafar, Mohd Iqbal Mohd Noor, Zurina Kefeli. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (https://www.researchprotocols.org), 29.01.2024.