EVALUATION OF HEALTH LITERACY, BEHAVIORAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL
CHARACTERISTICS IN CORONARY ARTERY PATIENTS: A HOSPITAL BASED STUDY IN
TURKEY
Abstract
Background: This study was aimed to investigate evaluation of health
literacy, behavioural and psychosocial characteristics in coronary
artery patients. Methods: This study was carried out between March 2019
and March 2020 with 275 coronary artery patients aged ≥50 years in
Kastamonu State Hospital. Clinical, behavioural characteristics, Turkish
Health Literacy Scale-32 and Beck Depression Inventory were used to
collect the data. Results: General health literacy index score was 31.7
and the prevalence of limited health literacy was 59.3%. Depressive
symptom was found to be 33.4% in moderate/severe level. Limited health
literacy was 58.3% among ≥65 years old, while it was 41.7% in the
50-64 age group (p<0.05). Adequate health literacy was 62.5%
in males and 37.5% in females (p<0.05). Adequate health
literacy was 2.8 fold higher among 50-64 age group, 3.1 fold higher
among men, 3.4 fold higher among married and 5.3 fold higher among those
who believe in the necessity of individual protective practices have
more adequate health literacy levels (p<0.05). Health
check-up, utilizing health service, cigarette and alcohol use, exercise
and nutrition were the significant behavioural factors for health
literacy levels (p<0.05). Mild level of depressive symptoms
was more common among limited health literate patients. Conclusion:
Health literacy was poor among coronary artery patients and behavioural
and psychosocial variables were differed with health literacy levels. In
order to develop cardiovascular health among these patients, health
literacy-based interventions should be adopted to in coronary artery
clinics especially for risky groups. Keywords: Coronary disease,
coronary artery disease, health literacy, risk factors, life style,
depression, patients