Investigating health literacy Level and Its effective factors of patients referred to Shoushtar hospitals in 2018

Introduction: health literacy can be defined as the ability to read, understand, and act according to health guidelines. Today insufficient health literacy is considered a global threat. Health literacy is an important issue for policy makers in enhancing health level of society and service quality in hospitals. Performance health literacy during patient's interaction with healthcare providers play an important role. The aim of this study was to investigate health literary level of patients hospitalized in Shustar and its determinants. Method: in this descriptive survey a sample of 280 patients hospitalized in Shustar's hospitals were chosen by convenience sampling. For obtaining performance, performance health literacy for adults questionnaire was used after modification and validation. Data was obtained by standardized test of performance health literacy for adults. Present data has been analyzed by independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation test, and SPSS v. 21. Findings: findings showed a nearly average level of health literacy in calculation and reading comprehension in patients. Most surveyed patients had insufficient and marginal health literacy. Statistically, there were no significant difference in health literacy level between men and women, while significant differences were found between health literacy and variables like age, income, education level, and habitat neighborhood. Conclusion: The results revealed that health literacy level of surveyed patients is not sufficient. This suggests a need to consider health literacy in health enhancement planning. Therefore major steps in developing skills and enhancing health literacy can be taken by providing easy-to-read educating materials and efficient educational participation.