- Ağrı Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi
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- Health Literacy Levels of Individuals not Vaccinated for COVID-19
Health Literacy Levels of Individuals not Vaccinated for COVID-19
Authors : Mehmet Doğan, Turkan Sahin
Pages : 78-84
View : 98 | Download : 107
Publication Date : 2023-10-31
Article Type : Research
Abstract :Aim: Inadequate health literacy is a risk factor for preventive health services such as vaccination. This study was conducted to determine the health literacy levels of individuals who did not receive the COVID-19 vaccine and determine the relationship between vaccine refusal and health literacy. Material and Method: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted on 366 individuals between November 2021 and March 2022. The questionnaire form consisting of the participants’ socio-demographic characteristics, COVID-19 vaccination status, and the Turkey Health Literacy Scale-32 was applied in face-toface interviews. Results: Of the participants, 31.1% had inadequate, 26.8% limited/problematic, 24.9% adequate, and 17.2% excellent health literacy levels. The health literacy of evaluating health-relevant information to health was the lowest adequate health literacy with 39.1%. The health literacy of applying health-relevant information was the highest adequate health literacy with 51.9%. Adequate disease prevention/ health promotion health literacy level was higher in those who always followed the coronavirus process and paid attention to social distance and hand washing and was higher than inadequate disease prevention/health promotion level (p<0.05). Conclusion: The level of adequate health literacy of the participants was low. Those with adequate levels of health treatment and service health literacy sub-dimension were higher than those with adequate health literacy sub-dimension of disease prevention and health promotion. Improving health literacy in individuals who have problems using preventive health services such as vaccination is essential for their own and public health.Keywords : COVID-19, Aşı, Sağlık Okuryazarlığı