Investigation on the Divergence Between Knowledge and Behavior Among Farmers in Gansu Province

Pan Feng; Zhang Zhizhong; Wang Zhifan

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1001-568X.2025.10.0020

Abstract：OBJECTIVE To analyze the divergence between knowledge and behavior among farmers in Gansu Province and provide a basis for health education.METHODS A questionnaire survey was conducted to analyze the health literacy level and questionnaire scores of farmers in Gansu Province.The divergence between knowledge and behavior among farmers was evaluated based on a score ratio of health knowledge/health skills to health behavior great than 1.25.RESULTS It showed that the health literacy level of farmers in Gansu Province was 20.6%,with males having a higher level than females,and it decreased with age and increased with education and income levels,the differences are statistically significant(P＜0.01).The divergence rate of health knowledge to health behavior among farmers in Gansu Province was 25.8%,and the divergence rate of health skills to health behavior was 22.2%.The divergence rate of knowledge to behavior among the population with health literacy was 5%,and there was no statistical difference in gender,age,education level,and household income(P＞0.05).The divergence rate between health knowledge to health behavior among individuals without health literacy ranges from 24.0%to 38.7%,while the divergence rate between health skills and health behavior ranges from 18.1%to 33.5%.Males were higher than females,and it increased with the increase of education and per capita household income,showing a trend of first increasing and then decreasing with age.CONCLUSION There is a common phenomenon of knowledge action separation among individuals without health literacy.It is suggested that health education for farmers should start with behavioral intervention,and constantly enhance the formation and dependence of healthy behaviors.