Relationship Between Health Literacy and Knowledge About Gynaecological Cancer Prevention of Women

Aim

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between women's health literacy level and gynaecologic cancer prevention information.

Methods

The research design was descriptive and correlational. A sample of 264 women was recruited, and the research was conducted within the outpatient clinics of a state hospital situated in the Black Sea Region of Turkey. Data collection was carried out using the Information Form, Health Literacy Scale and Gynecological Cancer Prevention Information Scale. Prior to the study, ethical approval, institutional permission and informed consent were received. Because the data were normally distributed, t-tests and one-way ANOVA tests were used to evaluate differences between independent groups.

Results

The mean age was 41.98 ± 14.03 years. The total mean score on the Health Literacy Scale was 52.85 ± 9.81, whereas the total mean score on the Gynecologic Cancer Prevention Information Scale was 18.73 ± 7.52, both at ‘moderate’ level. A moderately positive correlation was identified between women's Health Literacy Scale score and Gynecologic Cancer Prevention Information Scale score (r = 0.320, p < 0.001). Age, education, and health literacy emerged as predictors of gynaecologic cancer prevention information in women.

Conclusions

Women's health literacy level is an important factor affecting their gynaecological cancer prevention knowledge behaviours. It is recommended that health professionals work to increase women's health literacy.