Health literacy of patients hospitalized for digestive surgeries

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the health literacy (HL) of patients in the pre- or postoperative period of digestive surgeries and to verify associations with sociodemographic and clinical variables. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out at a public hospital. Data were collected from October 2023 to July 2024, through the application of a form with sociodemographic and clinical data and the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ). Descriptive analyses, inferential statistical tests, and multiple linear regression were performed. Results: Of the 319 participants, 78.4% were in the postoperative period at the time of data collection. Among HLQ scales, “Ability to actively engage with healthcare providers” received the best score (3.70 ± 0.69), while “Having sufficient information to manage my health” (2.73 ± 0.29) had the worst score. Education level, race, age, having children, living with other people, and having a caregiver were associated with HL (p < 0.05). In adjusted analysis, the variables remained associated, except for race, income, and operative period. Conclusion: Interaction with professionals contributes to HL, while understanding and critically assessing health information weakens it. Lower education was the main factor associated with lower HL.