The relationship between health literacy and preoperative anxiety among surgical patients: A cross-sectional survey study

Abstract

Objective:

This study aimed to determine whether there is a relationship between patients’ health literacy levels and their preoperative anxiety during the preoperative period.

Design:

An analytical cross-sectional study.

Methods:

The research was conducted with 204 patients hospitalised in the surgical clinics of a hospital between May and December 2023. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a patient information form, the Health Literacy Scale, and the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale.

Results:

A positive, low-level, and statistically significant correlation was observed between total Health Literacy Scale and total Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale scores (Spearman ρ = 0.257, p < 0.001; r = 0.266, p < 0.001). Simple linear regression analysis confirmed that the Health Literacy Scale alone was a significant predictor of preoperative anxiety (B = 0.074, 95% confidence interval = [0.036–0.113], p < 0.001). However, in a multiple linear regression model considering age, educational history, previous surgical experience, chronic disease, and ongoing medication use, the Health Literacy Scale was no longer an independent predictor of Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale scores (B = 0.040, p = 0.123).

Conclusion:

These findings indicate that although health literacy was associated with preoperative anxiety in univariate analyses, its effect was not independent when potential demographic and clinical confounding factors were considered.