ABSTRACT

Objective

The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the levels of health literacy and knowledge about COVID-19 of individuals with chronic diseases.

Methods

This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 138 patients. Data were collected using “patient questionnaire form”, “Turkey Health Literacy Scale (THLS-32)” and “Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior Scale towards COVID-19 (COVID-19 KABC)”. Data were evaluated with parametric and non-parametric tests as well as mean, standard deviation, and percentages (%).

Results

The mean age of the patients was 55.88±15.19, 70% of them were male, 80% were married and 42.8% were primary school graduates. Their mean total score on the scales were 30.85±9.63 for THLS-32 and 7.82±1.70 for COVID-19 KABC. A positive correlation was found between the health literacy levels of them and their knowledge about COVID-19 (p<0.05). In addition, a statistically significant difference was found between some socio-demographic, disease and COVID-19-related characteristics of their and the mean scores of THLS-32 and COVID-19 KABC (p<0.05).

Conclusion

According to the results of the research, it was determined that the patients had a “problematic-limited health literacy” level and had a high level of knowledge about COVID-19. In addition, it has been found that as the health literacy level of them increases, their level of knowledge of COVID-19 also increases. Accordingly, it has been determined that a high level of health literacy increases the knowledge of COVID-19, and it is thought that raising the health literacy level of them is an important component in keeping the pandemic under control.