ERİŞKİN BİREYLERDE SAĞLIK OKURYAZARLIĞININ AŞI DAVRANIŞLARINA OLAN ETKİSİ VE AŞILANMA DAVRANIŞINA YÖN VEREN TEMEL ETKENLERİN TANIMLANMASI

Abstract

Health literacy enables individuals to make effective health-related decisions. An individual’s awareness of their health and the steps taken to protect it highlights the relationship between health literacy and healthy behaviors. Although vaccines are one of the most effective public health interventions, adult vaccination rates in our country remain low. This study aims to identify the main factors influencing vaccination behaviors in adults and to evaluate the impact of health literacy on these behaviors. The results obtained from this study are expected to contribute to policies and practices aimed at increasing vaccination rates within the adult population. In our study, the general sociodemographic characteristics, health perceptions, and vaccination statuses for influenza, pneumococcal, and COVID-19 vaccines were surveyed among patients attending the Internal Medicine outpatient clinic of Hacettepe University Adult Hospital between May 2023 and April 2024. To assess participants’ health literacy and vaccination behavior, the Health Literacy Scale- Short Form (HLS-SF12) and the Psychological Antecedents of Vaccination (5C) scale were used. Among the 514 participants, the median health literacy index score was 30.5 (0-50). The influenza vaccination rates for the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 seasons were 19.6% (n=101) and 11.7% (n=60), respectively. The rate of receiving at least one dose of the pneumococcal vaccine at any time was 10.9% (n=56), while the rate for at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine was 87.4% (n=449). No significant relationship was observed between health literacy and vaccination status. Adherence to physicians’ vaccine recommendations emerged as a key determinant for influenza vaccination. While health status and health perception significantly influenced trust in vaccines, adherence to physicians’ recommendations was positively associated with high confidence and a sense of collective responsibility, whereas perceptions of constraint and complacency were negatively associated. Confidence and collective responsibility emerged as critical factors positively impacting individuals' vaccination choices for influenza and COVID-19. Strategies aimed at strengthening trust in vaccines and fostering a sense of social responsibility regarding vaccine-preventable diseases may increase the demand for vaccines in society. In this context, the role of physicians in encouraging vaccination, especially among those who are hesitant, is critically important.