Comparison of Health Literacy of the Population Regarding Healthy Diet and Chronic Liver Diseases – West vs. East of Slovakia

Abstract

Introduction: The health status of the population is aresult of the complex action of several components of society. Chronic non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of death. They are often aresult of smoking, alcohol consump- tion, poor diet and lack of exercise. Objectives: To obtain and compare information on health lit- eracy of the population (Western versus Eastern Slovakia) re- garding the most common liver diseases, risk factors for chronic liver diseases and healthy diet. Research sample group and methodology: Aself-designed questionnaire was composed of 30 questions. 400 respondents helped us to carry out the research: 145 men and 255 women. 200 respondents came from Western Slovakia and 200 respon- dents from Eastern Slovakia. Results: We established several hypotheses, based on which we determined health literacy of the population in Eastern and Western Slovakia. Health literacy is statistically significantly higher in aselected sample of respondents from the western part of Slovakia. Conclusions: In order to improve the health of the population, it is necessary to pay great attention to the education of the population about chronic diseases and healthy diet by all, the public health authorities, medicine and nursing. Close coop- eration with general practitioners is abasic prerequisite for the successful solving of this problem.