The relationship between health literacy and healthy lifestyle behaviors of women with preeclampsia

TL;DR

This study found that higher health literacy in women with preeclampsia is linked to healthier lifestyle behaviors during pregnancy.

Contribution

The novel contribution is identifying a moderate positive correlation between health literacy and healthy lifestyle behaviors in preeclamptic women.

Findings

Women with higher health literacy scores had higher healthy lifestyle behavior scores during pregnancy.

A moderate positive correlation (r=0.365) was observed between health literacy and healthy lifestyle behaviors.

The study suggests integrating health literacy into prenatal care and pregnancy preparation classes.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between the levels of health literacy and healthy lifestyle behaviors in women with preeclampsia. This research was planned as a descriptive relational study.

The data were collected from 251 pregnant women with preeclampsia who were admitted to a training and research hospital between February and July 2024. The Patient Information Form, Health Literacy Scale, and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours in Pregnancy Scale were used for data collection.

The mean Health Literacy Scale total score of the women was 76.25±14.48, and the mean Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours in Pregnancy Scale total score was 110.17±17.57. A moderate positive correlation was found between the mean total scores of the scales (r=0.365, p<0.05).

As health literacy levels increased among women diagnosed with preeclampsia, the level of healthy lifestyle behaviors also increased. It would be beneficial to integrate the topic of health literacy into prenatal care and pregnancy preparation classes.