A Descriptive Study to Determine the Relationship Between Health Literacy Level and Catching COVID-19

Year 2022, Volume: 4 Issue: 2, 76 - 88, 31.07.2022

Özgül Özkoç , Zuhal Çayırtepe , İnci Oktay

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine whether there is a relationship between Health Literacy level and catching Covid 19 and whether there is a relationship between catching Covid-19 and sociodemographic characteristics. Method: The Quantitative research method was used in this study. Surveys were collected from people aged 18 and over. with a convenience sampling method. The scale's internal consistency was measured with Cronbach's alpha test, the correlation between the overall scale and its subdimensions was analyzed with Pearson's Correlation Coefficient. The relationship between health literacy level and catching Covid-19; and demographic characteristics and catching Covid-19 were measured with a chi-square test. Results: We found a statistically significant relationship between catching Covid-19 and general health literacy level and its two subdimensions (prevention of disease, health promotion). We couldn't find a statistically significant relationship between healthcare Health Literacy level and catching Covid-19. In addition, there are statistically significant differences in four sociodemographic groups (sex, age, education, marital status) in seeing Covid-19. Discussion and Conclusion: Public health policymakers may prevent the spread of infectious and pandemic diseases by increasing the health literacy level of citizens. Decision-makers may prioritize their studies according to sociodemographic differences, especially older and low-educated people.

Keywords

Health literacy, Public Health, Covid-19

A Descriptive Study to Determine the Relationship Between Health Literacy Level and Catching COVID-19

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine whether there is a relationship between Health Literacy level and catching Covid 19 and whether there is a relationship between catching Covid-19 and sociodemographic characteristics.
Method: The Quantitative research method was used in this study. Surveys were collected from people aged 18 and over. with a convenience sampling method. The scale's internal consistency was measured with Cronbach's alpha test, the correlation between the overall scale and its subdimensions was analyzed with Pearson's Correlation Coefficient. The relationship between health literacy level and catching Covid-19; and demographic characteristics and catching Covid-19 were measured with a chi-square test.
Results: We found a statistically significant relationship between catching Covid-19 and general health literacy level and its two subdimensions (prevention of disease, health promotion). We couldn't find a statistically significant relationship between healthcare Health Literacy level and catching Covid-19. In addition, there are statistically significant differences in four sociodemographic groups (sex, age, education, marital status) in seeing Covid-19.
Discussion and Conclusion: Public health policymakers may prevent the spread of infectious and pandemic diseases by increasing the health literacy level of citizens. Decision-makers may prioritize their studies according to sociodemographic differences, especially older and low-educated people.

Keywords

Health Literacy, Publlic Health, Covid-19

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