Evaluation of individual health literacy among inpatients of different types of hospitals in Istanbul

Authors : Hüseyin KÜÇÜKALİ, Ömer ATAÇ, Orhan ÖZER, Osman HAYRAN

Pages : 61-66

Doi:10.5472/marumj.740539

View : 14 | Download : 7

Publication Date : 2020-05-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: The objective of our study is to evaluate the individual health literacy level among patients who received health services from different types of hospitals in Istanbul. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among inpatients of a public, private and university hospital in Istanbul. Data were collected by the application of a questionnaire to 1500 adult inpatients who were discharged between February-July 2017. The study questionnaire included questions to determine the health literacy competency and sociodemographic characteristics of patients. Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(REALM); scale was used to measure the health literacy level. Results: The mean REALM score was higher among females than males insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.013);. Health literacy mean score was lowest among public hospital inpatients and highest among university hospital inpatients insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.001);. Primary-school graduate patients had significantly lower scores insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.001); than the other groups. The findings of the REALM test were in agreement with the health literacy competencies. Conclusion: Males, patients older than 35 years old, primary-school graduates, and public hospital inpatients had lower levels of health literacy.
Keywords : Health Literacy, Health Services, Patients, Inpatients