The association between health literacy, COVID-19 knowledge and adherence to preventive measures in Turkey.

Despite vaccination and various prevention policies, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic maintains its negative effects globally. Therefore, people must be adequately informed and put this knowledge into practice in order to take the necessary precautions. This can be achieved with adequate health literacy. In this context, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between health literacy, COVID-19 knowledge and adherence to preventive measures. The sample of this descriptive cross-sectional online survey consisted of 1086 people. Data were collected using a demographics questionnaire, the European Health Literacy Scale, the COVID-19 Knowledge Assessment Questionnaire and the COVID-19 Adherence Assessment Questionnaire. Participants' health literacy index had a median score of 30.9, with 67.5% having inadequate or problematic health literacy. Gender, age, education, marital status, region of residence, employment status and economic status were associated with health literacy (p < 0.05). Participants' median knowledge and adherence scores were 40 and 54, respectively. There were significant positive correlations between health literacy index, knowledge and adherence scores (p < 0.001). This study demonstrated that health literacy, COVID-19 knowledge and adherence were associated with each other. As a result, strategies aimed at improving health literacy may be beneficial in terms of having better knowledge and demonstrating high adherence to measures, thus, eradicating the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing COVID-19-related conditions and promoting public health.

Determination of Chestnut Honey Consumption Characteristics as a Traditional Treatment Method and Its Effect on Protection from COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Chestnut honey plays a positive role in strengthening the immune system as it contains vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It, moreover, has both antibacterial and antiviral properties. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine how people consume chestnut honey as a form of traditional medicine and how it might protect them from COVID-19. METHODS: This study was carried out on 177 people (who had been snowball sampled) from a province in Turkey where chestnut honey is widely produced. The data was collected using a 20-open/closed-question online questionnaire form that asked the participants to report their sociodemographic details, how they consume chestnut honey, and about COVID-19. RESULTS: 41.8% of the participants reported that they used chestnut honey to protect themselves against COVID-19, 40.7% believed that chestnut honey helped to make them immune against COVID-19, and 37.3% felt that chestnut honey could treat COVID-19. However, there was no significant relationship between the participants consuming chestnut honey and their either being tested for COVID-19 (p > 0.05, χ2 = 1.080) or testing positive for COVID-19 (p > 0.05, χ2 = 0.793). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that chestnut honey is a widely used remedy in Turkey for treating different health problems and for maintaining health. In contrast, it also demonstrated that consuming chestnut honey has no effect on protecting the participants from COVID-19.

Effect of peer education model on nursing students' knowledge and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS.

OBJECTIVES: This research is an intervention study designed as a single group pre-test post-test model without control group in order to examine the effect of education provided to nursing students based on peer education model on HIV/AIDS knowledge level and attitude. DESIGN, METHODS, SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: The research was carried out at Nursing Department of Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University. Sample of the study consisted of second year nursing students who agreed to participate in the study and enrolled Internal Medicine Nursing course for the first time (n = 88). In the first stage of the study, nine peer mentors were selected and a total of 12 h of training were given to them by the researchers. In the second stage, peer mentors provided a total of 12 h of training to nine peer students groups. All groups were created by simple randomization on the "research randomizer" website. Demographics questionnaire, AIDS knowledge scale and AIDS attitude scale were used to collect the data. Data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics, Pearson Chi-square test, paired sample t-Test, Wilcoxon test and Spearman correlation test. RESULTS: It was determined that peer education provided a statistically significant increase in AIDS knowledge scale score in peer students (pretest x¯=10.32 ± 3.59, posttest x¯=19.69 ± 1.51) (p < 0.001). In addition, peer education was found to provide a statistically significant increase in AIDS attitude scale score in peer students (pretest x¯=56.64 ± 8.36, posttest x¯=72.95 ± 7.02) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It has been determined that peer education method is an effective method in increasing HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS in nursing students. Therefore, it is recommended to include peer education model in nursing educations regarding HIV/AIDS.

Health literacy level and influencing factors in university students.

Health literacy (HL) competencies vary across different health domains, and so the youth HL level plays an important role in access to healthcare. The aim of this study was to determine HL levels, the factors that affect it and health-promoting lifestyle behaviours of university students. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 905 students in nursing, law and Islamic sciences departments. An introductory information form, European Health Literacy Scale and Health Promoting Lifestyle Behaviors Scale were used to collect research data. The results showed that 45% of the students had a problematic HL level. Each subscale of the HL scale exhibited a significant positive correlation with the subscales of the Health Promoting Lifestyle Behaviors scale. Logistic regression showed that gender and health education were significantly associated with the HL level. We recommend increasing awareness regarding health liability and integrating HL notions into the higher education curriculum.

Determination of medication adherence and related factors among people living with HIV/AIDS in a Turkish university hospital

Background/aim: Widespread use of antiretroviral treatment (ART) has led to decrease in the incidence of HIV/AIDS-related mortality. Besides the availability of ART, medication adherence is essential for treatment success. There is a scarcity of data reported from Turkey regarding ART adherence among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Therefore, this study was undertaken to determine medication adherence and related factors among PLWHA in Turkey. Materials and methods: The sample consisted of 158 PLWHA, who were being followed up at Infectious Diseases Outpatient Clinic of Hacettepe University Hospital. Data were collected using an individual questionnaire and the Turkish version of the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Results: The median patient age was 38 years, 80.4% were male, and 51.3% were married. The median duration of both HIV infection and ART was 3 years. Sixty-one percent used two drug regimens. Sixty-one percent were highly adherent to ART while 37.9% were moderately adherent. The absence/presence of social support resources, disease duration, ART duration, and being informed about the ART regimen were statistically associated with medication adherence. Conclusion: Our results suggest that medication adherence is excellent among Turkish PLWHA. Interventions, including effective social support, and continuous counseling about ART, might further boost the adherence of PLWHA