Abstract:

This study aimed to examine the factors related to the level of health literacy of individuals with chronic disease and their effects on adaptation to chronic disease. This cross-sectional-relationship-seeking study was open to all individuals with chronic disease Data were collected between February 3 and April 4, 2021, via online surveys created via Google Forms. Participants were invited to the research from social media platforms. The study sample consisted of 171 people who could read and write in Turkish, were 18 years of age and older, had at least one chronic disease, and volunteered to participate. Data were collected using the patient information form, health literacy scale, and adaptation to chronic diseases scale. It was determined that the average score of the participants' adaptation to chronic disease differs according to the variables of education, occupation and income status, and the level of health literacy differs according to the variables of age, marital status, education, occupation and income status. The patient's age, income status and health literacy level explained 37,8% of the variance in adaptation to chronic disease. In addition, the study determined that the level of health literacy was related to factors such as age, marital status, occupation, education and income status, and health literacy was significantly effective in adapting patients to chronic disease.

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