Relationship Between Health Literacy, Health Protective Behaviour, Quality of Life and Social Health in Older Adults Living in the Community.

Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between health literacy, health protective behaviour, quality of life and social health in older adults living in the community.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Method: This observational study was carried out by interviewing 600 older adult people living in a province in the South Marmara region of Turkey using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. The dependent variable of the study was social health perception, and multivariate linear regression analysis was used in the analyses. Reporting of the study followed the STROBE checklist.

Results: The social health of the participants is at a medium level. As a result of linear regression analysis, the social health score was found in those who have high school education or higher, those who live with their children and those who live alone to be significantly lower in those with poor general health perception. As age increases, health literacy increases, and quality of life decreases, the social health score decreases (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: In this context, steps should be taken to increase social harmony and social support for the older adult; the perceived environment should be improved, and environments that facilitate the lives of the older adult should be created.

Relevance to clinical practice: Determining the level of social health of the older adult and identifying the related factors is important in terms of improving the quality of services to be provided for the older adult. In this context, it is important for health professionals to take initiatives to improve the lifestyle, health literacy and quality of life of the older adult.