Evaluation of Health Literacy and COVID-19 Knowledge Levels of Candidate Soldiers: A Cross-sectional Study from Ankara, Turkey

Authors

  • Hüsna SARICA ÇEVİK Ankara University, School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Ankara, Turkiye, Address: Hacettepe, Talatpaşa Blv. No: 82, 06230, Altındağ, Ankara, Turkiye
  • Gülsüm ÖZTÜRK EMİRAL Çankaya District Health Directorate, Ankara, Turkiye
  • Abide AKSUNGUR Altındağ District Health Directorate, Ankara, Turkiye
  • Yunus Emre BULUT University of Health Sciences, Gülhane Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Ankara, Turkiye
  • Hamit Harun BAĞCI Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkiye
  • Nuran İÇÖZ KILIÇARSLAN Çankaya District Health Directorate, Ankara, Turkiye
  • Emrah EMİRAL Ankara University School of Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine, Ankara, Turkiye

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v23i2.72148

Keywords:

Awareness; COVID-19; Health Literacy; Knowledge; SARS-CoV-2; Young Adult

Abstract

people’s COVID-19 knowledge and HL levels are thought to be effective in managing the pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate candidate soldiers’ HL and COVID-19 knowledge levels in the Altındağ district of Ankara, Turkey.

Material and Methods  A questionnaire form containing socio-demographic characteristics, 16-item European HL Survey Questionnaire, and propositions about COVID-19 was applied to candidate soldiers Who were referred for COVID-19 PCR sampling to the Altindg District Health Directorate before enlistment between December 2021_April 2022.

Results and Discussion  The study was completed with 668 candidate soldiers, most of whom were young adults. HL level of 20.5% was inadequate. The frequency of those who had not been vaccinated against COVID-19 was 16.8%. The COVID-19 knowledge level of those vaccinated was higher (p=0.002). The propositions about COVID-19 symptoms and correct mask use were answered correctly at the highest rate in COVID-19 knowledge level questions. The COVID-19 knowledge level score was significantly higher in those with adequate HL levels, aged 25 and over, non-smokers, and who had university or higher education levels. There was a positive correlation between the COVID-19 knowledge level and HL levels (r=0.108; p<0.001).

Conclusion  This study reveals the determination of HL and COVID-19 knowledge levels of candidate soldiers and related factors and supports the necessity of proactive participation of individuals with immediate action plans to increase HL and COVID-19 knowledge levels in young adults.

Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 23 No. 02 April’24 Page: 377-387

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Published

2024-03-27

How to Cite

ÇEVİK, H. S. ., EMİRAL, G. ÖZTÜRK, AKSUNGUR, A., BULUT, Y. E., BAĞCI, H. H., KILIÇARSLAN, N. İÇÖZ ., & EMİRAL, E. (2024). Evaluation of Health Literacy and COVID-19 Knowledge Levels of Candidate Soldiers: A Cross-sectional Study from Ankara, Turkey. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science, 23(2), 377–387. https://doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v23i2.72148

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 2 (2024)

Section

Original Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Hüsna SARICA ÇEVİK, Gülsüm ÖZTÜRK EMİRAL, Abide AKSUNGUR, Yunus Emre BULUT, Hamit Harun BAĞCI, Nuran İÇÖZ KILIÇARSLAN, Emrah EMİRAL

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