INVESTIGATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEALTH LITERACY LEVEL AND DEATH ANXIETY IN THE ELDERLY IN KERMAN PROVINCE IN 2019

Abstract

Aging can be associated with a variety of physical illnesses and psychological problems, including death anxiety, and needs to be addressed as the elderly population grows, especially in developing countries. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between health literacy and death anxiety in the elderly in Bam in 2019. Method: The present study is a descriptive-analytical study conducted on 367 elderly residents of the community who were selected by the available sampling method. To collect data, a questionnaire on demographic data, health literacy Montazeri and Templer Death Anxiety was used. Data were analyzed using Independent t-test, Spearman Correlation Coefficient, and Mann-Whitney U using SPSS version 20. Result: The results showed that literacy in 80.9% of the elderly was insufficient and not enough, and friends were the most important source of health information (141 n = 38.4%). Death anxiety score was low in 81/7 percent of the elderly and women (3/14±4/36) than men (2/40 ±4/17) reported death anxiety(p=0/006). Health literacy also had a direct and significant relationship with death anxiety (p = 0.002, r = 0.158). Conclusion: Given the level of education and inadequate information resources inappropriate in this group and increasing elderly population in recent years, it is necessary to provide educational materials properly, health literacy as a factor that promotes healthy behaviors and makes healthy lifestyle they Be given special attention.