ABSTRACT
Purpose@#This descriptive investigative study was done to identify health literacy, knowledge and self-care behavior of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. @*Methods@#The patients were 206 adults over the age of 19 who were diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis, taking anti-tuberculosis drugs and receiving care at one of the following: health centers, health center branches, public or privately affiliated hospitals in six cities nationwide. Tools used for the study were health literacy, knowledge and self-care behavior scales regarding pulmonary tuberculosis. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 21.0 to identify frequency and percentages, means and standard deviation using t-test, ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple-regression analysis. @*Results@#Health literacy in pulmonary tuberculosis patients was found to be lower for men, patients over 60, high school graduation or less, having no religion and no family members living together. For knowledge on tuberculosis, the tuberculosis symptom field was lowest, and self-care behavior was lowest for examinations and drug intake. Factors affecting self-care behavior were knowledge related to tuberculosis prevention examinations, education, health literacy, and living together with family members. @*Conclusion@#In order to completely cure pulmonary tuberculosis and prevent recurrence, customized education is needed according to the patient’s educational background or health literacy, and assertive countermeasures are needed to enhance self-care behavior for examinations and drug intake.