Tülay Kars FERTELLİ
Türk Fen ve Sağlık Dergisi - 2026;7(2):89-97
Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between health literacy levels and treatment adherence in individuals with Type 2 diabetes. Material and Methods: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 220 individuals in the endocrinology outpatient clinic of a university hospital. Data were collected using the Diabetes Health Literacy Scale and the Treatment Adherence Scale. In the study, frequency, independent sample t test, F test and Pearson correlation test were used in data analysis. Results: Participants' health literacy (34.82 +/- 9.69) and treatment adherence (88.52 +/- 8.22) were at a moderate level. A positive and significant correlation was found between these two factors (r = 0.36, p < 0.04). Health literacy was found to differ significantly across gender and education level, while treatment adherence differed significantly across variables of education level and diabetes education (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Health literacy is important in ensuring treatment adherence in individuals with Type 2 diabetes. When providing care to individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it is recommended that each individual's health literacy and treatment adherence be assessed, and healthcare personnel use educational practices to increase health literacy to increase treatment adherence. It is also recommended to take into account gender, education level, and diabetes education when evaluating health literacy, and education level and diabetes education when evaluating compliance with treatment.
