Evaluating the relationship between health literacy and health perception in individuals

Health is a multidimensional concept encompassing an individual's physical, mental, and social well-being. Maintaining a healthy life requires not only protection from disease and disability but also the ability to access accurate health information and utilize it effectively. Health literacy and health perception are crucial concepts that directly influence individuals' access to healthcare services, health- related decision-making, and overall quality of life. This study examines the concepts of health literacy and health perception in detail, investigating the relationship between individuals' health perceptions and their levels of health literacy. The research was conducted with a sample group consisting of individuals aged 18 and older, involving a total of 549 participants. Data were collected using the "Health Perception Scale" and the "Health Literacy Scale (TSOY-32)." The Health Perception Scale includes sub-dimensions such as "Locus of Control," "Self-Awareness," "Certainty," and "Importance of Health," while the TSOY-32 scale comprises sub-dimensions such as "Understanding Information," "Evaluating Information," and "Using/Applying Information." According to the research findings, significant relationships were identified between health perception and health literacy. Participants scored the highest on the "Locus of Control" sub-dimension (x̄ = 16.82) and the lowest on the "Self-Awareness" sub-dimension (x̄ = 9.03) of the Health Perception Scale. Regarding health literacy, 51.7% of participants were found to have inadequate HL levels, with the highest mean score recorded in the "Using/Implementing Information" sub-dimension (x̄ = 1.04). The analysis revealed that demographic factors such as age, education level, and income significantly influenced health perception and health literacy. Notably, as education levels increased, participants scored higher on the "Self-Awareness" sub-dimension but lower on the "Locus of Control" sub-dimension. Participants with lower income levels were more active in accessing and implementing health-related information. Additionally, individuals who regularly used medication and those with chronic illnesses exhibited higher health perception scores and greater proficiency in using health information. The study highlights the importance of educational programs to enhance health perception and health literacy. The findings indicate that participants with lower HL levels face significant challenges in accessing, evaluating, and implementing health-related information. Key Words: Health Literacy, Health Perception, Demographic Characteristics.