The relationship between religious health fatalism, medication adherence, and health literacy among patients with hypertension: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: Hypertension remains a leading global public health challenge requiring consistent self-management, particularly through medication adherence and adequate health literacy. This study aimed to examine the relationship between religious health fatalism, medication adherence, and health literacy among patients with hypertension. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 211 hypertensive patients in two public hospitals in southeastern Türkiye. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Religious Health Fatalism Scale (RHFS), the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS), and the Health Literacy Scale (HLS). Results: The mean RHFS score was 59.41 ± 12.14, indicating a moderate-to-high level of fatalistic belief. Participants also demonstrated moderate levels of health literacy and medication adherence. A weak positive correlation was observed between religious health fatalism and health literacy (r = 0.16, p = 0.04). Conclusions: Although health literacy was positively associated with medication adherence in correlation analysis, this association did not remain statistically significant in the regression model. Religious health fatalism showed a stronger association with medication adherence.