Abstract: ObjectiveTo understand the health literacy level and its influencing factors of Guangzhou residents.MethodsUsing multi-stage stratified random sampling method, residents aged 15-69 years in Guangzhou were investigated. The survey content included the basic information and health literacy. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to analyze factors influencing the health literacy level.ResultsThe health literacy level of Guangzhou residents was 39.8% (2 979/7 479) in 2015. The basic knowledge and concept level was 37.8%, the healthy lifestyle and behavior level 39.3%, the health environmental literacy level 38.8%, the infectious disease prevention literacy level 23.9%, the self-help and mutual aid literacy level 65.6%, and the scientific literacy of medical-seeking level 55.6%. Univariate analysis showed that the health literacy level of the female residents was higher than that of the male (P<0.05), the health literacy level in group aged 25-29 years was the highest (55.6%, P<0.01), the health literacy level of the medical and nursing staff (82.4%) was higher than that of the other occupational groups (P<0.01), and the health literacy level of the residents increased with the degree of education (P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that the health literacy level of female residents was higher than that of male (OR=1.144). Taking the group aged 15-19 years as a reference, the health literacy levels of residents aged 25-29, 30-34 and 35-39 years were higher (OR= 1.849, 1.877, 1.732). Taking the civil service as a reference, the health literacy level of medical staff was higher (OR=4.252). Reference to illiteracy, the levels of health literacy of junior high school, senior high school / vocational high school / secondary specialized school, college / undergraduate and master degree or above were higher (OR=1.982, 2.675, 4.856, 5.945).ConclusionIn 2015, the overall health literacy level of residents in Guangzhou was high, but the level of infectious disease prevention literacy was low; age, occupation and education level were the main factors influencing the health literacy level of Guangzhou residents.