Health literacy - research on patients' attitudes about health and treatment

Abstract:

Medical literacy is defined as the acquisition, processing, and understanding of basic health information and actions necessary to make adequate medical decisions. It is related to health consequences such as longer hospitalization periods, poorer use of therapy, lower quality of life, and higher mortality rates. This cross-sectional survey used a convenient sample of 254 participants from Split and the island of Brač. Of the total number of participants, 180 were women (70.9%) and 74 were men (29.1%). The age group 30-65 demonstrates better general knowledge (F=9,023; P<0,000), while the population older than 65 takes therapy prescribed by their doctor more regularly compared to younger age groups (F=3,346; P=0.020). Women show better general medical knowledge (t=2,649; P=0.009) and purchase over-the-counter medications more often (t=-3,262; P=0.001) compared to men. There are significant differences in general medical knowledge (t=3,523; P=0.001) and understanding of instructions given by doctors (t=-2,449; P=0.015) according to the level of education, where higher education positively predicts these parameters. Place of residence does not affect medical literacy, but there are significant differences in medical literacy by gender, age, and education among participants.

Key words:
medical literacy, general medical knowledge, therapy compliance, family medicine