Evaluation of Health Literacy and Health Perception in Individuals with Chronic Diseases

Yıl 2024, Cilt: 14 Sayı: 1, 31 - 36, 30.04.2024

Hilal Kale Aktaş Recep Aktaş Okcan Basat

Öz

Aim: Health literacy is essential for treatment adherence and significantly affects disease management. This study aims to assess the health literacy and perception levels of individuals with chronic diseases.
Material and Method: The study was a single-centered crosssectional study. The study population included patients who applied to the Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic in The Training and Research Hospital. The study analyzed data from 360 patients, examining their socio-demographic information and health status using a questionnaire. The questionnaire was prepared using a face-to-face method. The participants’ health literacy levels were assessed using a health literacy questionnaire, and their health perceptions were determined using a health perception questionnaire.
Results: Out of the 360 participants in the study, 56.9% were women. The mean health perception score was 47.13±15.47, and the mean health literacy score was 102.19±15.98. A positive correlation was found between individuals’ health literacy levels and their level of care for their health. The study observed that individuals with high health literacy did not struggle to access and comprehend medical information. They could use health services promptly and effectively (p1<0.001, p2: 0.005; respectively).
Conclusion: Research has demonstrated a positive and significant correlation between health literacy and understanding of health information among individuals who manage their health. The level of health literacy is determined by factors such as age, income level, and educational status.

Anahtar Kelimeler

health literacy, chronic disease, family practice

Kaynakça

• 1. Hajat C, Stein E. The global burden of multiple chronic conditions: A narrative review. Prev Med Rep. 2018;12:293284.
• 2. Essue BM, Laba M, Knaul F, Chu A, Minh HV, Nguyen TKP, et al. Economic burden of chronic health and injuries for households in low and middle income countries. In: Jamison DT, Gelband H, Horton S, editors. Disease control priorities: improving health and reducing poverty. Washington (DC): The international bank for reconstruction and development;2017: Chapter 6.
• 3. Bakan A, Yıldız M. 21–64 yaş grubundaki bireylerin sağlık okuryazarlık düzeylerinin belirlenmesine ilişkin bir çalışma. Sağlık ve Toplum. 2019;29(3):40–33.
• 4. Ishikawa H, Yano E. Patient health literacy and participation in the healthcare process. Health Expect. 2008;11(2):113–22.
• 5. Tokuda Y, Doba N, Butler JP, Paasche-Orlow MK. Health literacy and physical and psychological wellbeing in Japanese adults. Patient Educ Couns. 2009;75(3):411–7.
• 6. Senol V, Cetinkaya F, Unalan D, Balci E, Oztürk A. Determinants of selfrated health in general population in Kayseri, Turkey. Türkiye Klinikleri J Med Sci. 2010;30(1):96–88.
• 7. Valaitis RK, O’Mara L, Wong ST, Macdonald M, Murray N, Misener RM, et al. Strengthening primary health care through primary care and public health collaboration: the influence of intrapersonal and interpersonal factors. Prim Health Care Res Dev. 2018;19(4):391–378.
• 8. Yalnızoğlu Caka S, Topal S, Karakaya Suzan O, Cınar N, Altınkaynak S. Hemşirelik öğrencilerin sağlık algısı ile özgüvenleri arasındaki ilişki. J Hum Rhythm. 2017;3(4):203198.
• 9. Klein Velderman M, Crone MR, Wiefferink CH, Reijneveld SA. Identification and management of psychosocial problems among toddlers by preventive child health care professionals. Eur J Public Health. 2010;20(3):8–332.
• 10. Wortman J, Lucas RE, Donnellan MB. Stability and change in the big five personality domains: evidence from a longitudinal study of Australians. Psychol Aging. 2012;27(4):867–74.
• 11. Aras Z, Temel Bayık A. Sağlık okuryazarlığı ölçeği’nin türkçe formunun geçerlik ve güvenirliğinin değerlendirilmesi. Florence Nightingale Hemşirelik Dergisi. 2017;25(2):94–85.
• 12. Kadıoğlu H, Yıldız A. Sağlık algısı ölçeği’nin türkçe çevriminin geçerlilik ve güvenilirliği. Türkiye Klinikleri Journal of Medical Sciences. 2012;32(1):53–47.
• 13. Diamond JJ, Becker JA, Arenson CA, Chambers CV, Rosenthal MP. Development of a scale to measure adults’ perceptions of health: priliminary findings. Journal of Community Psychology. 2007;35(5):557–61.
• 14. Toçi E, Burazeri G, Kamb
• eri H, Jerliu N, Sorensen K, Brand H. Socio-economic correlates of functional health literacy among patients of primary health care in Kosovo. Public Health. 2014;128(9):848–842. 15. Vogt D, Schaeffer D, Messer M, Berens EM, Hurrelmann K. Health literacy in old age: results of a German cross-sectional study. Health Promot Int. 2018;33(5):747–739.
• 16. Kobayashi LC, Wardle J, Von Wagner C. Internet use, social engagement and health literacy decline during ageing in a longitudinal cohort of older English adults. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2015;69(3):278–83.
• 17. Schaeffer D, Berens EM, Vogt D. Health Literacy in the German Population. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2017;114(4):60–53.
• 18. Protheroe J, Whittle R, Bartlam B, Estacio EV, Clark L, Kurth J. Health literacy, associated lifestyle and demographic factors in adult population of an English city: a cross-sectional survey. Health Expect. 2017;20(1):119–112.
• 19. Kolac N, Balci AS, Sisman FN, Atacer BE, Dincer S. Health perception and healthy lifestyle behaviors in factory workers. Bakırköy Tıp Dergisi. 2018;14:267–74.
• 20. Yılmaz AT, Culha I, Kersu O, Gumus D, Unsal A, Kosgeroglu N. Cerrahi hastalarının sağlık algıları ve etkileyen faktörler. J Acad Soc Sci. 2018;68:99–89