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 (REALM) scale was used to measure the health literacy level.
Results: The mean REALM score was higher among females than males (p<0.013). Health literacy mean score was lowest among
public hospital inpatients and highest among university hospital inpatients (p<0.001). Primary-school graduate patients had
significantly lower scores (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.
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 (REALM) scale was used to measure the health literacy level.
Results: The mean REALM score was higher among females than males (p<0.013). Health literacy mean score was lowest among
public hospital inpatients and highest among university hospital inpatients (p<0.001). Primary-school graduate patients had
significantly lower scores (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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 61 - 66 |
| Journal | Marmara Medical Journal |
| Volume | 33 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 31 May 2020 |
| Externally published | Yes |