INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to compare the health literacy and health declaration knowledge levels of check-up and outpatient clinic patients attending the nutrition and diet outpatient clinic of a private hospital.
METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive method was used in the study. Sixty people (30 check-up and 30 outpatient) were included. The Informed Consent Form, General Information Form, anthropometric measurements (height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI)), Türkiye Health Literacy Scale (TSOY-32), and the Status Information Form about Health Declarations created by the researchers were used in this face-to-face interview method. The participant groups were defined based on the hypothesis that check-up patients may show greater willingness to seek health support, potentially affecting health literacy outcomes.
RESULTS: Sixty people were included in the study. The age range was 18–65 years. The number of female participants was higher in both groups (n=18 and n=24, respectively). In terms of TSOY-32 scale scoring, the calculated mean total scale score in the study population (n=60) was 14.74 ± 7.65 (p=0.900). At the health declaration knowledge level, the calculated mean total scale score was 61.11 ± 11.26 (p=0.892). There was no significant difference between health literacy and health declaration knowledge scores and age (p>0.05), gender (p>0.05), marital status (p>0.05), education level (p>0.05), employment status (p>0.05), social security status (p>0.05), income status (p>0.05), and BMI level (p>0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The level of knowledge about health literacy and declarations was found to be insufficient, and it was concluded that the basic health education provided in Türkiye should be expanded and its quality improved. Health literacy has the potential to improve individuals’ ability to understand and use health information, supporting better prevention, treatment adherence, and health equity. Similarly, health declaration knowledge plays a key role in enabling accurate disease surveillance, guiding public health policies, and promoting safety within communities and workplaces. In addition to planning and publicizing training in an easily accessible way, more long-term and comprehensive studies should be conducted.