Evaluation of public health literacy in adults who applied for primary health care in Turkey

Abstract

Background The climate change, conflicts, mass migrations and global epidemics happening in today's world shows that it's necessary for the communities to implement public health decisions. In this context, the degree of obtaining and complying with the information required for individuals to process, understand and evaluate public health decisions has revealed the concept of public health literacy. The aim of the study was to determine the public health literacy (PHL) levels in adults applying for health care. Methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted on 1672 adults who applied for primary health care in Eskişehir in 2019. Public Health Literacy Knowledge Scale (PHLKS) which is created with a WHO initiative was used to assess the PHL levels. The scores that can be obtained from this scale ranges from 0 to 17 and higher score implies higher literacy levels. In the study group, Cronbach's alpha value was 0.72 for the PHLKS. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the variables that affect PHLKS score. Results In the study group; 924 (55.3%) were male, 399 (23.9%) were living in a rural area, their ages ranged from 18 to 87 and the mean age was 40.94 ± 15.22. The median score from the PHLKS was 13.0 and mean score was 12.38 ± 2.99. Among the participants, 27.8% of them had a correct response rate of ≥ 90% for the items of the scale. Variables related to PHLKS were found to be high level of education, to exercise regularly and to perceive the general health status as good (F = 28.869, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.161). Education level was the most important variable related with PHL level (Standardized β coefficient: 0.34 95% CI: 0.28-0.39). Conclusions PHL levels of the participants was thought to be moderate. Education level and the lifestyle choices were related to PHL. Key messages It was thought that new and improved tools to measure public health literacy levels are needed. Societies should improve their education levels and invest in health education programs for more effective public health interventions.