BİREYLERİN SAĞLIK OKURYAZARLIK DÜZEYLERİNİN ARAŞTIRILMASI

Abstract

Health literacy refers to individuals' abilities to understand, evaluate and use health-related information. These skills include access to accurate information, the ability to make health decisions, patient-physician communication, disease prevention, and participation in the health system. Access to accurate information is the foundation of health literacy. Accessing health information from reliable sources enables individuals to make the right decisions. Individuals with health literacy can be conscious when making decisions about their own health. In terms of patient-physician communication, health literacy promotes effective communication between the patient and the healthcare professional. Having knowledge about disease prevention and healthy lifestyles is also part of health literacy. Individuals can recognize risk factors and take appropriate precautions to protect their health. Also important is the ability to interact with the healthcare system. Individuals with health literacy may be more competent in accessing healthcare, understanding insurance options, and using healthcare services. As a result of the analyses, it was concluded that the health literacy status of individuals did not differ significantly according to demographic variables.

Keywords: Health, Individual, Literacy