Correlation Between the Health Literacy of Individuals in Türkiye and Their Level of Knowledge About COVID-19 and Their Status of Taking Protective Measures: Descriptive and Relationship Seeking Study

Abstract

ABS TRACT Objective: This study aims to determine the correlation between the health literacy of individuals in Türkiye and their level of knowledge on coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and to what extent they take protective measures. Material and Methods: The study was conducted in accordance with the descriptive study method. The study was conducted with 511 people aged between 18-65, living in İ stanbul. Study data were collected using the Information Form, Turkey’s Health Literacy Scale-32. Results: In the study, it has been found that 46.4% of the individuals have inadequate health literacy. An strong positive correlation was found between the health literacy of individuals and their status of knowledge of COVID-19 and the protective measures they took regarding COVID-19. Conclusion: As the health literacy of individuals increases,the protective measures taken against COVID-19 increase,as well.Although the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced its impact today,it still continues to be a respiratory disease with a high risk of death all over the world.The high level of health literacy of the individual/society enables individuals to have knowledge about COVID-19,to distinguish be-tween true and false knowledge, to protect themselves from COVID-19,and to take the necessary protective measures (physical/social distance,wearing masks,hand washing,isolation/staying at home, etc.) to minimize the risk of contagion related to COVID-19.As a result of this study, it is recommended to increase the health literacy of the society.Thus, preventive measures against COVID-19 can be provided and the COVID-19 outbreak can be brought under control all over the world.