The Effect of Health Literacy on Preoperative Anxiety Levels in Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine preoperative anxiety levels, their associated factors, and the relationship between health literacy and preoperative anxiety in adult patients undergoing elective surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary hospital between December 21, 2021, and June 20, 2022, and included 466 adult patients. Participants were administered the demographic data and basic health status form, Health Literacy Scale (HLS), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The participants’ mean BAI score was low to moderate (9.28±10.85). The total HLS score was 105.89±24.42. For the BAI, a negative correlation was found between the access to information sub-dimensions of the HLS and BAI (p=0.043, r=−0.094). In addition, a negative correlation was detected between patients’ age and HLS and its sub-dimensions (p<0.001, respectively [r=−0.188, r=−0.193, r=−0.205, r=−0.161]), and a positive correlation was observed among the HLS sub-dimensions (p<0.001, respectively [r=0.873, r=0.057, r=0.966, r=0.915]). Higher HLS and sub-dimension averages were observed in single, high school, university graduates, and civil servant participants. In addition, higher BAI averages were detected in females, homemakers, urban residents, participants living only with their children, and those with additional diseases (respectively, p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.007, p=0.0034, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: As the level of health literacy increased, preoperative anxiety levels decreased. Preoperative assessment and education are fundamental to perioperative patient care, particularly in the surgical setting.