Examination of the relationship between health literacy and health perceptions in hemodialysis patients

Introduction: Patients’ high levels of health literacy and positive perception of health are effective in their compliance with the treatment. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between health literacy and the perception of health of hemodialysis patients. Patients and Methods: In the study, the sampling method was not performed, but it was performed with patients who received hemodialysis treatment and fulfilled the research criteria within the 3-month period. The descriptive study was conducted with a total of 110 patients in two dialysis centers Sivas province of Turkey. Results: Data were collected using the patient information form, Health Literacy Index (HLI) and perception of health scale (PHS) to determine demographic characteristics. Around 56.4% of the patients had been receiving hemodialysis treatment for 0-4 years. The mean score of patients’ health literacy was 77.40±12.94, and they received the highest score from the appraisal of the subscales. Perception of health mean score was 47.56±4.10. When sociodemographic characteristics were examined, health literacy levels were found to be high in males between the ages of 36-45 years, those with a long duration of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and those with higher education level. Conclusion: According to results patients’ health literacy and disease perception were found to be slightly above the middle level. We found a positive relationship between health literacy level and perception of health, and patients’ health literacy since the perception of health should be increased in order for the hemodialysis treatment process to be effective.