The Prediction of Health Literacy of Parents Who Have Children with Cancer on Their Healthcare Satisfaction

Abstract

Purpose: This study was a descriptive and cross-sectional study to examined the prediction of health literacy of parents having children with cancer on the healthcare satisfaction.
 Methods: The descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted between January and May 2019 and included 207 parents who had children treated at the pediatric hematology-oncology unit of a university hospital. A parental information form, the Health Literacy Index, and the Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL) Inventory Healthcare Satisfaction Hematology/Oncology Module parental report was used to collect the data. Percentage calculations, mean values, Pearson’s correlation analysis, linear regression analysis, and multiple correlation analysis were used to analyze the data. 
 Results: According to the relationship between variables in regression analysis, five models were created. Each subscale in the Health Literacy Index was identified as a separate model. In the last model, the effect of the total score of the Health Literacy Index on PedsQL Healthcare Satisfaction Hematology/Oncology Module was determined. According to these models, healthcare satisfaction increased as the health literacy subdimension scores and total scores increased. Increased scores of the Health Literacy Index were found to promote healthcare satisfaction. 
 Conclusion: The ability of parents to manage their children’s disease process and daily life activities becomes better as their health literacy levels increase.