Health Literacy and Health Promotion Behaviors of Adolescents in Turkey

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the health literacy and health promotion behaviors of adolescents. Design and methods: This study used cross sectional and correlational design. The population of the study consisted of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students from three different secondary schools selected from high, middle, and low income levels. The sample consisted of 2498 students. Results: The mean score of the health literacy scale of the students was 30.26. The mean score of the adolescent health promotion scale was 143.75. The mean scores of health literacy and adolescent health promotion scores of the students in high income level, sixth grade, and have parents with a baccalaureate or graduate degree were significantly higher (p < 0.005). A moderate positive correlation was found between the school age health literacy scale and the adolescent health promotion scale (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Adolescents' health literacy, and their health promotion behaviors were at moderate level. By integrating a basic health knowledge and healthy lifestyle behaviors course into the student curriculum, health literacy of the students could be increased. Practice implications: The determination of health literacy and health promotion behaviors in adolescents by nurses in the schools will be a guide for the promotion of enhanced adolescent health. (C) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.