Patients' Degree of Health Literacy: A Cross-Sectional Survey from Eskisehir, Turkey

Year 2018, , 124 - 132, 18.12.2018

Can Cemal Cingi

https://doi.org/10.32448/entupdates.471921

Abstract

Objectives:
The study aimed to evaluate the levels of health literacy amongst
patients admitted to the ENT department of Eskisehir Osmangazi
University in June 2018.

Methods:
200 patients (comprising 107 males and 93 females), selected at
random, consented to the study. They were supplied with the Health
Literacy Questionnaire, which was used to evaluate health literacy.

Results:
The majority of respondents
indicated that they were unsure about whether particular symptoms
related to disease or not, lack confidence in being able to read and
fully comprehend a text about their disease and have difficulty
comprehending and trusting doctors' advice. They experienced
difficulty in weighing advantages and disadvantages of treatment
options, finding information relating to symptomatology and
particular diseases and being aware when a second opinion would be
appropriate. There were deficits apparent in understanding both
positive and negative influences of the environment, lifestyle and
nutrition. Nutritional advice was poorly comprehended.

By
contrast, no difficulties were apparent in obtaining medical
appointments, making contact with doctors or using medication as
directed. Respondents were confident about how to act in an emergency
and when to call an ambulance, when to go for checkups and how to
locate information on the management and prevention of obesity,
hypertension or hypercholesterolaemia.

Conclusion:
Health literacy is of prime importance in public health. Bolstering
health literacy, especially where levels are low, is necessary.
Healthcare staff need to work on being more easily understood in the
interests of promoting effective communication across the entire
social spectrum.

Keywords

health literacy, health literacy questionnaire, communication

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