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 investigate the relationship between their health literacy levels and their adaptation to chronic diseases. Methods: Our study was planned and implemented as a single-center, cross-sectional and survey study. 328 individuals over the age of 18 and with chronic diseases who applied to Ertuğrul Education Family Health Center No. 36 between August 2020 and January 2021 were included. A 62-question survey including socio-demographic questions, Chronic Disease Adaptation Scale and Turkish Health Literacy Scale-32 (THLS-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 the 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 and positive relationship was found between the physical adaptation subscale score, 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 between the psychological adaptation to chronic diseases subscale score and the health literacy total score and subgroups (p < .05). Conclusions: Healthcare personnel's awareness of patients’ health literacy level and their intervention is essential in ensuring that individuals comply with treatment and increasing the quality of healthcare services.