Investigation and Influencing Factor Analysis of Residents' Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Literacy in Tianjin During the Post-Pandemic Era

Abstract

Background: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) exhibits distinctive strengths in public health initiatives and chronic disease control, where population-level TCM health literacy serves as a critical determinant of its practical efficacy. Current research predominantly examines rural populations in central and western China, leaving a gap in understanding urban residents' TCM literacy during the post-COVID-19 period. This investigation evaluates TCM health literacy status and determinants among Tianjin residents to inform policy development. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 320 participants (aged 16-69) from Nankai and Jinghai Districts, selected through stratified multistage random sampling. The assessment tool, modified from the standardized "Chinese Citizens' TCM Health Literacy Scale," measured five competency domains: fundamental TCM principles, public health applications, lifestyle practices, cultural knowledge, and information processing capabilities. Statistical analyses (SPSS 26.0) encompassed descriptive statistics, univariate tests, and multivariate linear regression modeling. Results: Only 17.2% of residents achieved a high level of TCM health literacy (total score ≥80). Among the dimensions, healthy lifestyles (66.41±24.65) and basic concepts (63.71±34.79) scored higher, while residents performed weakest in TCM cultural knowledge (50.10±32.80) and information comprehension (43.88±31.00). Multiple regression analysis revealed that education level (β=3.340, p<0.01), occupation (β=0.748, p<0.05), daily TCM usage (β=7.376, p<0.01), and recognition of TCM efficacy (β=13.388, p<0.01) significantly positively influenced literacy levels; age (β=-2.340, p<0.01) and self-rated health status (β=-1.979, p<0.05) had negative effects. Urban-rural disparities were significant, with urban residents (58.6±14.3) exhibiting higher literacy levels than rural residents (49.5±15.2). Conclusion: The overall TCM health literacy level among Tianjin residents is relatively low, with notable disparities across urban-rural areas, age groups, and education levels. It is recommended to enhance TCM cultural promotion, optimize resource allocation in rural areas, and implement health education targeting middle-aged, elderly, and low-education populations to improve nationwide TCM health literacy.