Health Perception Among Pilots: Unexpected Findings Regarding Health Literacy

Sera Rüya Beköz; Alev Banu Beköz

doi:10.30518/jav.1716273

Health Perception Among Pilots: Unexpected Findings Regarding Health Literacy

Abstract

Health literacy plays a critical role in ensuring aviation safety by influencing pilots’ ability to make informed health-related decisions. This study aimed to examine the impact of a mandatory theoretical course, Human Performance, on the health literacy levels of pilots who are enrolled in a university's pilotage program. The academic and practical importance of this study lies in understanding how aviation training content relates to pilots’ perception and understanding of health-related knowledge. A single-group pretest–posttest design was used, with 19 licensed pilots assessed before and after completing the course. Contrary to expectations, the results revealed a significant decrease in overall health literacy scores, particularly in the dimensions of understanding and using/applying health-related information. These findings suggest that the course content may have increased pilots’ awareness of the complexity of health-related matters in aviation and revealed gaps in their prior knowledge, leading them to approach such information with greater caution.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Antalya Bilim Üniversitesi

Ethical Statement

Ethics approval was obtained by the ‘Ethics Commission of the Antalya Bilim University’ (reference numbers: E-88615432-020-2400024804) on 24 October 2024. Consent was verbally obtained from all participants as the data will be used anonymously for scientific purposes and publications.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Space Sciences (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Sera Rüya Beköz ^*
0000-0002-9572-9202
Türkiye

Alev Banu Beköz
0009-0005-9769-5500
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

February 26, 2026

Publication Date

February 26, 2026

Submission Date

June 10, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 4, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1716273

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA48GJ88GT

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Beköz, S. R., & Beköz, A. B. (2026). Health Perception Among Pilots: Unexpected Findings Regarding Health Literacy. Journal of Aviation, 10(1), 66-70. https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1716273

AMA

1.Beköz SR, Beköz AB. Health Perception Among Pilots: Unexpected Findings Regarding Health Literacy. JAV. 2026;10(1):66-70. doi:10.30518/jav.1716273

Chicago

Beköz, Sera Rüya, and Alev Banu Beköz. 2026. “Health Perception Among Pilots: Unexpected Findings Regarding Health Literacy”. Journal of Aviation 10 (1): 66-70. https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1716273.

EndNote

Beköz SR, Beköz AB (February 1, 2026) Health Perception Among Pilots: Unexpected Findings Regarding Health Literacy. Journal of Aviation 10 1 66–70.

IEEE

[1]S. R. Beköz and A. B. Beköz, “Health Perception Among Pilots: Unexpected Findings Regarding Health Literacy”, JAV, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 66–70, Feb. 2026, doi: 10.30518/jav.1716273.

ISNAD

Beköz, Sera Rüya - Beköz, Alev Banu. “Health Perception Among Pilots: Unexpected Findings Regarding Health Literacy”. Journal of Aviation 10/1 (February 1, 2026): 66-70. https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1716273.

JAMA

1.Beköz SR, Beköz AB. Health Perception Among Pilots: Unexpected Findings Regarding Health Literacy. JAV. 2026;10:66–70.

MLA

Beköz, Sera Rüya, and Alev Banu Beköz. “Health Perception Among Pilots: Unexpected Findings Regarding Health Literacy”. Journal of Aviation, vol. 10, no. 1, Feb. 2026, pp. 66-70, doi:10.30518/jav.1716273.

Vancouver

1.Sera Rüya Beköz, Alev Banu Beköz. Health Perception Among Pilots: Unexpected Findings Regarding Health Literacy. JAV. 2026 Feb. 1;10(1):66-70. doi:10.30518/jav.1716273