The relationship between health literay level and psychological and behavirol factors in coronary artery patients

This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the level of health literacy and psychosocial and behavioral factors among coronary artery patients. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out between March 2019 and March 2020 with 275 coronary artery patients aged 50 years or older who received inpatient treatment at Kastamonu State Hospital. Turkish Health Literacy Scale-32 and Beck Depression Inventory were used in data collection of the research. Percentage, average, chi-square test, Fisher's Exact Test, and binary logistic regression analysis were used in the evaluation of the data. In the analyses, p<0.05 value was considered statistically significant. The general index score of the study group was 31.78.4 and the rate of those with inadequate/problematic health literacy level was 59.3%. While the rate of those with insufficient health literacy level was 58.3% in the 65 and older group, it was 41.7% in the 50-64 age group (p<0.05). The proportion of those with adequate health literacy was 62.5% in males and 37.5% in females (p<0.05). Those who are married, those who do not work, those who live in urban areas, those with moderate economic and health perception, those who do not consume alcohol, and those who believe in the necessity of individual protective practices have more adequate health literacy levels (p<0.05). Those with comorbidity, those who have a family history, those who have had angiography performed, those who do not have regular health checks, those who primarily prefer state/private hospitals to benefit from health services, those who smoke, and those with moderate/severe levels of depressive signs have more inadequate/limited health literacy (p<0.05). As a result, in this study, it has been determined that the limitedness in the level of health literacy of coronary artery patients are common. Believing in individual preventive practices along with age, gender, and marital status were determined as variables that are effective on adequate health literacy. In order to develop cardiovascular information in patients with coronary artery, adoption of health literacy-based interventions may be recommended.