The relationship between health literacy and healthylifestyle behaviors of nursing students

The research was conducted to examine the relationship between the level of health literacy and healthy lifestyle behaviors among nursing students studying in the Nursing Department of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Adıyaman University. This research is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. The sample of the study consisted of 267 nursing students. The data were collected between 11.03.2024 and 24.04.2024 using the "Descriptive Information Form," the "Turkey Health Literacy Scale - 32" (TSOY-32), and the "Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale - II" (SYBD-II). For data analysis, t-Test for independent groups, Mann Whitney U Test, Kruskal Wallis Test, and Variance Analysis were used. The average total score of the TSOY-32 scale for the participating nursing students was found to be 38.08±7.34. According to the scale cut-off points, 49.8% of the participants have an adequate level of health literacy. The average total score of the SYBD-II was found to be 126.30±21.88. A statistically significant, positive, and low-level relationship was found between all sub-dimensions of the TSOY-32 scale's Treatment and Service component and the sub-dimensions of the SYBD-II scale, including Stress Management, Health Responsibility, Nutrition, Interpersonal Relations, Spiritual Growth, and the total SYBD-II score. A statistically significant, positive, and low-level relationship was found between the Prevention of Diseases/Health Promotion component of the TSOY-32 scale and the sub- dimensions of the SYBD-II scale, including Stress Management, Spiritual Growth, and the total SYBD-II scores. A statistically significant, positive, and low-level relationship was found between the total TSOY-32 score and the sub-dimensions of the SYBD-II scale, including Stress Management,Interpersonal Relations, Spiritual Growth, and the total SYBD -II scores. Conclusion: A statistically significant positive relationship was found between the data obtained from the TSOY-32 and SYBD-II scales. Based on the research results, recommendations were provided on what needs to be done to increase health literacy and healthy lifestyle behaviors. Keywords: Healthbehavior; Healthy lifestyle; Healthliteracy; Nursing student