The effect of health literacy level on attitudes towards cancer screening

THE EFFETC OF HEALTH LİTERACY LEVEL ON ATTITUDES TOWARDS CANCER SCREENİNG Tozlu, Merve Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Graduate Education Institute Master's Thesis / Department of Nursing, Department of Public Health Nursing Advisor: Doç. Dr. Fatih OKAN October 2024, xiv- 103 Pages Purpose: The aim of this study is; To examine the variables affecting the health literacy level and attitude towards cancer screenings of individuals between the ages of 30-70 and to determine the effect of the health literacy level on the attitude towards cancer screenings. Materials and methods: The descriptive-cross-sectional study was carried out with 800 people using the purposeful sampling method. In the study, the data were obtained by self-report method by using the "Personal Characteristics Information Form", "Turkey Health Literacy Scale (TSOY-32) Form" and "Attitude Scale Form Towards Cancer Screening (CTSS)". Data were analyzed using Independent Sample T Test, One-Way Analysis of Variance, Pearson Correlation Analysis and Regression Analysis. Results: It was found that only 13.3% of the individuals participating in the study had excellent health literacy. Health literacy scale total score is higher for individuals aged 30-40 compared to other age groups, single people compared to married people, people living in the city center compared to those living in districts or villages/towns, graduate and undergraduate graduates compared to primary and high school graduates, those with health insurance compared to those without health insurance. It was found to be significantly higher (p<0.001). The average total score of the attitude scale towards cancer screenings of the individuals participating in the study was found to be 93.10±14.45. The total score average of the attitude scale towards cancer screenings of the individuals participating in the study was higher in individuals between the ages of 30-40 than in other age groups, in singles compared to married people, in those living in the city center compared to those living in districts or villages/towns, in those with postgraduate and undergraduate degrees compared to those with primary and high school graduates, in health care It was determined that those who had health insurance were significantly higher than those who did not have health insurance, those who were diagnosed with cancer compared to those who were not diagnosed with cancer, those who had cancer screening compared to those who did not have cancer screening, and those who considered themselves at risk for cancer compared to those who did not consider themselves at risk for cancer (p<0.001). It was determined that a one-unit increase in the level of health literacy caused an increase in attitudes towards cancer screenings by 0.730 units. Conclusion: The total score of health literacy performance and the total score of the attitude model towards cancer screenings vary depending on the clinical and demographic characteristics. It was also found that an increase in the level of health literacy increased the positive aspects of cancer screenings. Public health certificates, which play a key role in health protection and improvement practices, and training programs to increase health literacy can contribute positively to the society's trends towards cancer screenings. Key Words: Health Literacy, Cancer, Cancer Screenings, Attitude Toward Cancer Screenings, Nursing