Assessment of the public health literacy based on the preferences of the general population of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, A strategy to improve public health

Background: Public health literacy plays a vital role in empowering individuals to make informed health decisions and effectively navigate healthcare systems. Aim: This study aims to assess the public's interest in health literacy topics and identify preferred sources and methods for disseminating health information in Saudi Arabia. Methods: Questionnaire Star was used to conduct a large sample of random online surveys and distributed in all provinces in KSA, 603 questionnaires were issued, 10 invalid questionnaires were eliminated, and 565 were recovered, with an effective rate of 93.70%. IBM SPSS Statistics 28 was utilised to analyse the survey data. A cross-sectional survey was conducted, predominantly among highly educated and middle-aged people. Results: The findings revealed that participants expressed the greatest need for health literacy in areas such as nutrition and fitness (4.04 points), first aid knowledge (3.83 points), and psychological health (3.7 points), while there was lower demand for medical technology (3.05 points) and cosmetic surgery (2.51 points). The study found that 56.1% of participants considered medical institutions as the primary source for health information, followed by public health literacy service providers (41.6%), media (26%), and community organizations (13.1%). Preferred channels for obtaining health literacy were phone calls and social media, community education/engagement and billboards. The study also revealed that digital platforms, particularly TikTok (51.9%), Facebook (45.7%), and search engines (44.9%), were commonly used for accessing health information, especially among younger participants. Conclusions: This exploratory study underscores the critical role of health sectors in enhancing public health literacy through targeted, evidence-based approaches. By understanding and addressing the diverse needs and preferences of the population, health education can be more effectively tailored to improve public health outcomes across various demographic groups.