Evaluation of the Relationship Between Health Literacy and Health-Promoting and Protective Behaviours Among Women: A Cross-Sectional Study in Bandırma

Yasemin Aslan; Ceren Saka; Selva Baygeldi; Zahra Atilla

doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1635394

Evaluation of the Relationship Between Health Literacy and Health-Promoting and Protective Behaviours Among Women: A Cross-Sectional Study in Bandırma

Abstract

Purpose: Although there are studies evaluating the relationship between health literacy and health-promoting and protective behaviours, research focusing on women in developing countries appears to be limited. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between health literacy and health-promoting and protective behaviours among the female population in Bandırma. Methods: The sample for this cross-sectional study consisted of 400 women. The Sociodemographic Information Form, the Health Literacy Scale, and the Health-Promoting and Protective Behaviours Scale were used as data collection tools. The data were collected using a convenience sampling method. Pearson correlation was applied to assess the relationships between variables, while the t-test and ANOVA were used to evaluate differences. Results: Health literacy was found to be significantly and positively associated with health-promoting and protective behaviours. A statistically significant difference was identified between health literacy and age, marital status, education level, income level, and the presence of chronic disease (p<0.05). The study findings indicate that women’s health literacy and their scores on the health-promoting and protective behaviour scale are at a moderate level. Among the participants, 32.3% reported spending very little or no time on physical activity, while 34.3% stated that they rarely or never used stress management techniques. Conclusion: As women’s health literacy levels increase, their engagement in health-promoting and protective behaviours also improves. Enhancing health literacy among women may contribute to the adoption of such behaviours.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study also was supported by TÜBİTAK 2209-A Scientist Support Programs Directorate (BIDEB) with the project number 1919B012300543 in Türkiye.

Project Number

1919B012300543

Ethical Statement

This study was conducted in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University Non-Interventional Research Ethics Committee on December 14, 2023, under protocol number 2023-10/223.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Public Health (Other) , Primary Health Care , Health Care Administration

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Yasemin Aslan ^*
0000-0001-6292-2332
Türkiye

Ceren Saka
0009-0009-3580-4352
Türkiye

Selva Baygeldi
0009-0007-0439-5862
Türkiye

Zahra Atilla
0009-0009-4666-4981
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

September 9, 2025

Publication Date

October 1, 2025

Submission Date

February 8, 2025

Acceptance Date

August 7, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 16 Number: 4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1635394

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA62EE93NB

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

EndNote

Aslan Y, Saka C, Baygeldi S, Atilla Z (October 1, 2025) Evaluation of the Relationship Between Health Literacy and Health-Promoting and Protective Behaviours Among Women: A Cross-Sectional Study in Bandırma. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 16 4 650–657.

Cited By

Health literacy, medication adherence, and diabetes complications in Morocco: A cross-sectional study

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2025.102263