Evaluation of individual health literacy among inpatients of different types of hospitals in Istanbul

Objective: The objective of our study is to evaluate the individual health literacy level among patients who received health services from different types of hospitals in Istanbul. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among inpatients of a public, private and university hospital in Istanbul. Data were collected by the application of a questionnaire to 1500 adult inpatients who were discharged between February-July 2017. The study questionnaire included questions to determine the health literacy competency and sociodemographic characteristics of patients. Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM) scale was used to measure the health literacy level. Results: The mean REALM score was higher among females than males (p<0.013). Health literacy mean score was lowest among public hospital inpatients and highest among university hospital inpatients (p<0.001). Primary-school graduate patients had significantly lower scores (p<0.001) than the other groups. The findings of the REALM test were in agreement with the health literacy competencies. Conclusion: Males, patients older than 35 years old, primary-school graduates, and public hospital inpatients had lower levels of health literacy.