The effect of health literacy on illnes perception in hematologic cancer patients

Aim: This study aimed to examine the effect of health literacy on illness perception among individuals diagnosed with hematological cancer and to determine whether these variables differ according to sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational study was conducted between July 2023 and July 2025. The sample consisted of 227 hematological cancer patients who were receiving treatment in the hematology clinic of a university hospital in Erzurum between October 2023 and October 2024 and met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected using the Patient Information Form, the Illness Perception Scale for Cancer Patients, and the Turkish Health Literacy Scale-32. Results: The findings revealed that 64.3% of the participants had an income lower than their expenses, and 58% had problematic or inadequate levels of health literacy. Education level, income, place of residence, and employment status were found to be significantly associated with both illness perception and health literacy (p<0.05). While illness perception increased with age, health literacy levels decreased. A significant negative correlation was found between health literacy and the subdimensions of "Perceptions About the Illness" (r = -0.361) and "Possible Causes" (r = -0.516). Regression analyses indicated that health literacy significantly predicted illness perception (R² ranging from 9.2% to 26.3%). Additionally, individuals who lacked information about their illness exhibited higher levels of illness perception. Conclusion: The study findings demonstrated that health literacy plays a significant and influential role in shaping illness perception. Sociodemographic factors such as education level, income, place of residence, age, and familiarity with the healthcare system were identified as key determinants of both health literacy and illness perception. An increase in health literacy levels contributes to the development of more rational and realistic beliefs and evaluations related to illness. Therefore, improving individuals' health literacy is essential to enhance their engagement with healthcare services and to foster a more accurate and constructive perception of illness. Keywords: Illness Perception, Hematology, Nursing, Oncology, Health Literacy