Health Literacy, Health Status, Health Services Utilization and Their Relationships in Adults in Isfahan

Health literacy is the degree to which people understand the health information and can operate in the health care system. Consequences of low health literacy occur both directly and indirectly. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine health literacy, health status and health services utilization and their relationships in adults in Isfahan. This study was a descriptive analytical survey on 300 (18-64 years old) people in Isfahan, multi stage sampling was performed. For collecting the data, questionnaire adapted from CHAP (Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) health literacy questionnaire was used. Health status was measured by self-assessment of physical and mental health over the last 6 months. Health services utilization was asked by six areas that include the number of GP visits, number of special physician visits, number of outpatient or clinic visits, number of the emergency department visits, number of diagnostic services use of the last 3 months and the hospitalization in the past year. For data analysis SPSS18 software, descriptive statistics and Chi-square test was used. Average health literacy score was 2.4, which was moderate. The average health status score was 3.1, which was good and the average health services utilization score was 2.1, which was weak. Health literacy, health status and health care utilization were not statistically significant. Levels of education and place of residence were effective on health services utilization. According to the average prevalence of health literacy in adults in Isfahan and low health services utilization, more attention to the improvement of health literacy and doctor-patient relationship and awareness of community through health programs and media was recommended.