Investigation of the Relationship between COVID-19-Induced Dysfunctional Anxiety and Health Literacy in Oncology Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Improvement of health literacy plays a primary role in improving individual and public health. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)-induced dysfunctional anxiety and health literacy in oncology patients and the factors affecting this relationship. Methods: This study has a descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional design. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, Turkey Health Literacy Scale, and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale-Short Form (CAS-SF). Results: The mean age of the patients was 60.68 +/- 13.04; their mean total health literacy score was 26.73 +/- 12.44; the mean coronavirus anxiety score was 0.98 +/- 1.99. There was no significant correlation between the health literacy score and the CAS score (p>0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between health literacy and age (p<0.001). There was a statistically significant difference between the presence of comorbidities and educational status, and health literacy (p<0.05). Conclusion: Because cancer patients with limited levels of health literacy may disrupt their treatment plans in stressful conditions such as pandemics, patients' levels of health literacy should be primarily determined when considering their treatment needs and overall care to ensure that this continues effectively. Training materials and contents should be prepared by considering the patient's age, education level, and comorbidities, as well as the general characteristics of the factor causing the pandemic.