Factors Affecting Health Literacy and Relationship Between Health Literacy and Child Emergency Utilization: Relationship Between Health Literacy and Emergency Service

Abstract

Background: This study examines the health literacy differences between parents of patients who visited the yellow and green zones and its impact on their emergency use. Materials and Methods: The study analyzes the participants' demographic characteristics such as age, gender, marital status, occupation, income, and education. The health literacy levels of the participants were determined using the Turkish health literacy scale-32 (TSOY-32). Results: TSOY-32 scores of patients with a yellow zone triage scale who visited the pediatric emergency service were found to be adequate and similar. Participants with secondary and master's degrees exhibited problematic health literacy, while those with a doctoral degree showed insufficient health literacy. Participants with primary, high school, vocational school, and university degrees displayed sufficient health literacy. It was observed that parents with higher monthly incomes had higher health literacy. Regarding the parents of patients who visited the pediatric emergency green zone, significant differences were found. TSOY-32 scores of male parents were problematic, while those of female parents were adequate. According to TSOY-32 score evaluation, participants with secondary school, high school, and masters degrees exhibited sufficient health literacy. Participants with primary and vocational school degrees showed problematic health literacy, and those with doctoral degrees exhibited insufficient health literacy. Despite varying educational backgrounds, it was determined that the health literacy of parents who visited the pediatric emergency green area was similar. When comparing the yellow and green zones, it was found that parents who visited the green zone had lower health literacy levels. Conclusion: We have concluded that having sufficient health literacy is directly related to the results of having sufficient basic health knowledge, being aware of their rights and responsibilities, and approaching all problems that may arise in the system by making the right decisions.