The effect of health literacy level on adherence to medication and life satisfaction in individuals with COPD

This study was conducted as a descriptive study to examine the effect of health literacy level on compliance with drug treatment and life satisfaction in individuals with COPD. The study was conducted between 20 January and 20 September 2023 with 150 individuals with COPD who were receiving inpatient treatment at the Chest Diseases Ward of the Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University Training and Research Hospital, who met the inclusion criteria of the study and agreed to participate in the study. The data of the study were collected using a questionnaire form, Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale, Life Satisfaction Scale and Health Literacy Scale. Descriptive statistics, independent sample t test, one-way analysis of variance, Bonferroni test and Pearson correlation analysis were used in the evaluation of the data. The p<0.05 value was considered statistically significant. In the study, the mean score of COPD individuals on the Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale was 8.55±2.07, Life Satisfaction Scale was 15.54±6.04 and Health Literacy Scale was 92.97±13.92. Medication adherence was lower in COPD individuals with very low income, those without another chronic disease, those who had a relative helping with medication treatment and those who did regular physical activity (p<0.05). In the study, singles, those with a good income, those who did regular physical activity and those who perceived their health as very good had high life satisfaction (p<0.05). Health literacy scores were higher in men, those with a high level of education, those living in nuclear families, those living in the province, those with social security, those who were retired, those who quit smoking and those who did regular physical activity (p<0.05). In the study, no relationship was found between the Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale, Life Satisfaction Scale and Health Literacy Scale (p>0.05). As a result, it can be said that the medication adherence of the COPD individuals within the scope of the study is at a very good level, life satisfaction is at a moderate level and health literacy is above a moderate level. It is recommended that multidisciplinary and interventional studies be conducted to increase the health literacy, medication compliance and life satisfaction levels of individuals with COPD. Keywords: nursing, medication adherence, COPD, health literacy, life satisfaction