The effect of level of health literacy in asthma control of asthma patients

Background and Aim: Asthma is a complex disease with genetic and environmental factors. The majority of patients with asthma in our country are poorly controlled with underutilization of preventine services. The goal of the treatment in asthma is to ensure the complete control of asthma. However, patient's active role is mandatory in disease management to control this complex disease influenced by many factors. Health literacy is the ability to Access, understand and use an individual's health knowledge for health promotion and prevention. The level of health literacy of the patient is very important in asthma control. In this study, the effect of level of health literacy (HL) on asthma control in patients with asthma was studied. Material and Method: In our study, 112 patients aged 18 and over admitting to Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine Department of Pulmonary Diseases Outpatient Clinic 01.06.2020-30.11.2020 with diagnoses for asthma for at least four months were included. Sociodemographic Data Questionnare, Turkish Health Literacy Scale-32 and Asthma Control Test (ACT) were completed by patients. Data was analysed with SPSS 23.0 statistical package program. The level of significance is accepted as p<0,05. Results: Of patients, 68,8 % (n=77) were female and and 31,3 % (n=35) were male. The mean age of the patients was 42,5±13,5 years. The Turkish Health Literacy Scale-32 scale score average was 31,0±10,9 percent which is problematic-limited HL level. Of patients, 29,5 % (n=33) had insufficient HL levels, 28,6 % (n=32) had problematic-limited HL levels, 22,3 % (n=25) had adequate HL levels, and 19,6 % (n=22) had excellent HL levels. The mean score for ACT was 17,86±4,93 and meaning poor control. A positive correlation was found between Turkish Health Literacy Scale-32 scores and ACT scores (r=,266, p=0,005). Conclusion: It has been observed that the clinical course of asthma improves and asthma can be controlled when patients with asthma are trained on the characteristics of the disease, which drug to use and how often use it, to avoid trigger risk factors, to modify their treatment. The level of health literacy in asthma patients is very important in disease control, understanding and implementing the given training. In patients without any control of asthma, the health literacy level should be determined and a suitable roadmap should be drawn. Keywords: Asthma, Family Medicine, Health Literacy, Control