The relationship between health literacy and family planning attitude in women in Kırşehir province, Turkey

Abstract

To develop positive attitudes towards family planning, health literacy is important. This study aimed to investigate a relationship
between health literacy and family planning attitudes among married women. 657 married women volunteered to participate in this
cross-sectional, correlational and descriptive study. The Türkiye Health Literacy - 32 scale and the Family Planning Attitude Scale
were used in the study. According to the results, the women's general health literacy score was 34.5±8.7 out of 50 points, which was
adequate, and the family planning attitude score was 128.9±17.7 out of 170 points, which was above the average. İt is found a weak
positive relationship between health literacy and family planning attitudes. Educational status, occupation and income level affect
health literacy and family planning attitude. It is noteworthy that 84.4% of women with inadequate health literacy were using modern
family planning methods, while this rate was 77.1% among women with adequate health literacy. To improve women's attitudes
towards family planning, it is recommended that health literacy is improved, effective media content is developed and women are
encouraged to use primary health care services