Health literacy and caregiver burden in caregivers of older adults with lung cancer: a cross-sectional study of relationships and implications

This study aims to explore the relationships and interactions between health literacy, caregiving burden, and quality of life among caregivers of older adults with lung cancer patients. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 565 eligible caregivers of older adults with lung cancer patients. Data were assessed using validated instruments: the Chinese version of the Health Literacy Scale for Caregivers of Cancer Patients, the Family Caregiver Burden Scale for Cancer Patients, and the Chinese version of the Quality of Life Questionnaire for Caregivers of Cancer Patients. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0. Caregiver health literacy was positively correlated with quality of life and negatively correlated with caregiving burden. Additionally, caregiving burden was negatively correlated with quality of life. Multiple regression analysis revealed that caregiver health literacy had a significant positive impact on quality of life, while caregiving burden exerted a significant negative effect on quality of life. Enhancing the health literacy of caregivers of older adults with lung cancer patients and alleviating their caregiving burden may contribute to improving their quality of life. These findings offer valuable data to inform the development of targeted interventions and policy initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of this caregiver population. Ethical considerations for this study were approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Sichuan Provincial Level IIIA Hospital (No.SCCHEC-02-2023-025).