The Relationship Between the Health Literacy Level of Pregnant Women and COVID-19 Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to determine pregnant women's health literacy level and evaluate the relationship between the determined health literacy levels with COVID 19 knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Materials and Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted on 381 pregnant women between September 2020 and February 2021. The questionnaire, 25 questions about socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge, attitudes and behaviors with COVID 19, and “Turkey Health Literacy Scale-32 (THLS-32)” consisting of 32 questions was applied by face-to-face interview technique. Results: The average age of participants is 28.70 ± 5.45, and 58.8% of them have an education level above high school. It is the first pregnancy of 27.0% of participants. The average week of gestation is 22.45 ± 9.94. Of the participants, 23.9% have inadequate, 19.7% limited, 28.3% adequate and 28.1% have excellent general health literacy. The average general health literacy average is 33.28 ± 12.63. Health literacy level is high in participants with education level, employment, number of pregnancies and lower pregnancy (p <0.05). Adequate health literacy level is higher in participants who say fever, respiratory distress, and cough are the symptoms of COVID-19 (p <0.05). Adequate health literacy (disease prevention and health promotion) level is higher in participants who avoid close contacts such as handshaking or hugging (p <0.05). Conclusion: More than half of pregnant women is adequate health literacy levels. Adequate health literacy is high in compliance COVID-19 rules. Improving health literacy can provide benefits in solving both COVID-19 disease and other health problems.