Health literacy of patients hospitalized for digestive surgeries

To assess the health literacy (HL) of patients in the pre- or postoperative period of digestive surgeries and to verify associations with sociodemographic and clinical variables.

A cross-sectional study was carried out at a public hospital. Data were collected from October 2023 to July 2024, through the application of a form with sociodemographic and clinical data and the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ). Descriptive analyses, inferential statistical tests, and multiple linear regression were performed.

Of the 319 participants, 78.4% were in the postoperative period at the time of data collection. Among HLQ scales, "Ability to actively engage with healthcare providers" received the best score (3.70 ± 0.69), while "Having sufficient information to manage my health" (2.73 ± 0.29) had the worst score. Education level, race, age, having children, living with other people, and having a caregiver were associated with HL (p < 0.05). In adjusted analysis, the variables remained associated, except for race, income, and operative period.

Interaction with professionals contributes to HL, while understanding and critically assessing health information weakens it. Lower education was the main factor associated with lower HL.