Examination of the Relationship Between Health Literacy and the Level of Adaptation to Disease in Individuals With Chronic Diseases

Abstract

Aim:This study aimed to determine the health literacy levels of patients applying to the Family Health Center and to investigate the relationship between their health literacy levels and their level of adaptation to chronic diseases.Methods: Our study was planned and implemented as a single 328 individuals over the age of 18 a Health Center No. 36 between August 2020 and January 2021 were included. A 62 including socio-demographic questions, Chronic Disease Adaptation Scale and Turkish Health Liter Scale-32 (THSL-32) was applied to the participants. Results:The study group's health literacy general index score average was found to be 33.42±8.76, and the general index score average for adaptation to chronic diseases was 80.75±12.62. According to results of the correlation analysis, a significant and positive relationship was found between the total score of adaptation to chronic diseases and the total score of health literacy (r = .314, p < .001) and its subgroups (p < .001). A significant an subscale score and the health literacy total score and its subgroups (p < .001). According to the results of the correlation analysis, a significant and positive relationship was found betwe adaptation to chronic diseases subscale score and the health literacy total score and subgroups (p <.05).Conclusions: Healthcare personnel's awareness of the health literacy level of patients and their intervention is an important factor in ensuring that individuals comply with treatment and increasing the quality of healthcare services.