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

Year 2024, Volume: 14 Issue: 1, 31 - 36, 30.04.2024

Hilal Kale Aktaş , Recep Aktaş Okcan Basat

Abstract

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.

Keywords

health literacy, chronic disease, family practice

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