ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between health literacy and illness self-care management in individuals with cancer. SAMPLE & SETTING: 207 individuals with cancer undergoing treatment in the chemotherapy unit of a university hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. METHODS & VARIABLES: Data were collected using a sociodemographic and illness characteristics questionnaire, the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire-Turkish Version (HLS-EU-Q-TR), and the Self-Care Management Process in Chronic Illness. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance, student t test, Pearson correlation test, and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: 86% of individuals displayed an inadequate or problematic to limited level of health literacy. Extended family status and HLS-EU-Q-TR score were significant predictors of self-care management. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Nurses can organize health programs designed to improve the level of health literacy in the population, but they should take into consideration the health literacy levels of their patients.
