Investigation of relation between health literacy and adherence of airway clearance techniques in adults with cystic fibrosis

<bold>Background:</bold> Health literacy is capacity to obtain, process, understand and apply basic health information. This issue is a crucial factor that effects adherence and participation in treatment. Therefore, it’s should follow up in chronic respiratory patients. <bold>Objective:</bold> The aim of this study was to evaluate association with health literacy and adherence of airway clearance techniques, number of hospital visits in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). <bold>Methods:</bold> Nineteen CF patients (11F, 8M, 23.6±5.2 years) were included. Health literacy (Health Literacy Index) was evaluated. Health Literacy Index included understanding information, access to information, appraisal/evaluation and application/utilization sub-scales. The score ranges from 25 to 125 and higher scores indicating good health literacy. Use of which airway clearance techniques, frequency of applied airway clearance techniques at the one week and number of hospital visits at the last year were asked. <bold>Results:</bold> Health literacy score of adults with CF was high (113.63±11.48) and 47% of patients applied airway clearance techniques almost every day. Adherence of airway clearance techniques was correlated with application/utilization sub-scale of Health Literacy Index (r=0.479, p=0.038). The number of hospital visits at the last year was correlated with health literacy total score (r=0.479, p=0.038). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> When the targeting the adherence of airway clearance techniques and increase number of hospital visits in adult with CF, health literacy to take into account. Health literacy continues to gain importance in the chronic respiratory disease.