Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Health Literacy (HL) is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand the basic health information and services needed to make informed health decisions.This study aimed to find out the level of health literacy, and factors effecting health literacy among students at the School of Health in Balıkesir University. METHODS: The research was a descriptive study. The universe of the study comprised 1058 nursing and midwifery students studying at the School of Health in Balıkesir University 2016-2017 academic year. The sample consisted of 718 students who accepted to participate in the study. Data was collected by applying the soci-demographic form and healthy life behaviour scale. Frequency, percentage, chi-square, t test and one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni test were used to analyse the results. RESULTS: Mean score of TSOY-32 scale of the students was found as 26.48±16.54. Female students, midwifery students and fourth year students had higher TSOY-32 total points (p<0.01). It was found that the students had “problematic-limited health literacy level”. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It was shown that students had “problematic-limited health literacy level. Students should be encouraged to understand the health literacy and practice it their daily life.

Authors and Affiliations