The relationship between general health behaviors and general health literacy levels in the Turkish population

Abstract

Summary The purpose of our study was to determine the health literacy level of the study participants and examine the relationship between health literacy levels and sociodemographic characteristics, health self-assessment levels and health protective behaviors. We recruited 826 individuals into the study, selecting the participants by using a systematic random sampling method. Data were collected with a descriptive information form, the European Health Literacy Scale and a General Health Behaviors Scale. The analysis of the data was carried out using numbers and percentages, the Chi Square test and ordinal regression analysis. We found that the level of health literacy was inadequate in 25.9% of the study participants, problematic/limited in 41.4% had, adequate in 23.6% and excellent in 9.1%. A statistically significant correlation was found between an adequate level of health literacy and being relatively more educated, having a chronic disease, being able to follow up on health news, reading publications on health and being better able to evaluate one’s own health (p < 0.05). Additionally, a statistically significant correlation was observed between adequate health literacy levels and being in the later stages of the transtheoretical model in terms of general health behaviors in the domains outside of monitoring one’s own weight and avoiding the sun (p < 0.05). The level of adequate health literacy was discovered to be lower in our study than in Europe. Health protective behaviors show an increase among individuals who display an adequate level of health literacy.

Health Literacy as a Major Contributor to Health-Promoting Behaviors among Korean Teachers

“…In this study, health literacy was significantly related to the teachers' health-promoting behaviors, and these results aligned with previous study findings that health literacy was associated with healthy eating, physical activity, stress management, and reducing risky habits [16][17][18][19]. In particular, we confirmed with this study that health literacy was a strong predictor of health-promoting behaviors by demonstrating the most considerable change in incremental variance when we entered it in the final model.…”

“…Similarly, people with higher health literacy were less likely to smoke and drink regularly and more likely to exercise [18]. Health literacy was also associated with a healthy diet and managing stress [19].…”

“…Previous researchers reported on relationships between general health literacy and health behaviors in general populations [16][17][18][19]. In studies based on national surveys, there was a positive association between health literacy and physical activity [16,17].…”

Modifiable predictors of health literacy in working-age adults - a rapid review and meta-analysis

“…The 54 studies included in the review were conducted in 26 different countries, with the majority being conducted in the USA ( n = 11) [ 20 – 30 ], in Iran ( n = 8) [ 31 – 38 ], in Turkey ( n = 5) [ 39 – 43 ] and in Australia ( n = 3) [ 44 – 46 ].…”

“…The study populations were heterogeneous and included university, nursing and college students [ 26 , 33 , 36 , 41 , 47 – 51 ], teachers (including preschool, primary and secondary class teachers) [ 43 , 52 ], clinical populations/patients attending healthcare clinics [ 25 , 29 , 44 , 45 , 53 – 58 ], immigrant populations [ 20 , 21 , 28 ], general adult populations (according to the place where the study was conducted) [ 35 , 37 – 39 , 46 , 59 – 64 ] and prisoners [ 65 ] (see Additional file 4 for HL levels in these different populations).…”