ABSTRACT

Health literacy is defined as “the cognitive and social skills required for individuals to access, understand and use health information in order to improve their health and maintain good health”. Our aim in our study was to determine the health literacy levels of patients who were referred to general internal medicine outpatient clinic of a tertiary training and research hospital.

A survey was provided to 259 (84.3%) of 307 people who had referred to the outpatient clinic during the study dates. To collect data, a questionnaire consisting of five sociodemographic questions and Turkish health literacy scale 32 (TSOY-32) test was answered face to face. SPSS 22.0 program was used in statistical analysis.

The average age of the participants was 43.4±15.4 years and 60.6% (n=157) were women. The health literacy level was found to be problematic/limited in 44.8% (n=116) and sufficient in 25.1% (n=65). While “insufficient” and “excellent” health literacy rates in women were 21.7% (n=34) and 14.6% (n=23), respectively, 53.9% (n=55) of male participants were found to be problematic-limited health literacy levels (p<0.05).

In the research population, Health Literacy level was found to be insufficient and problematic/limited in two out of every three people. If we evaluate health literacy as a guide in the health system, it will be observed that as the level of health literacy increases, it is easier for individuals to find direction within the system.

Keywords: Health Literacy, Literacy, Patient