Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The objective of this survey research was to investigate the impact of health literacy on the classification of depression in breast cancer patients. Participants consisted of 153 breast cancer patients receiving treatment at Chonburi Cancer Hospital, selected through simple random sampling based on specified criteria. The research instruments included personal information, a health literacy assessment for breast cancer patients with a Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of 0.98, and a depression assessment for breast cancer patients with a Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of 0.83. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and discriminant analysis. The research results indicated that the participants had an overall mean health literacy score at a high level (Mean = 187.18, S.D. = 34.23). The majority of the participants (133 individuals, 86.90%) had very mild depression, followed by 16 individuals (10.50%) with moderate depression, and 4 individuals (2.60%) with severe depression, respectively. The mean scores for health literacy in accessing health information and services (Mean = 30.70, S.D. = 6.72), evaluating health information and services (Mean = 24.04, S.D. = 4.88), and communication and social support (Mean = 68.88, S.D. = 12.24) were able to significantly classify depression levels in breast cancer patients at 60.10%, with a statistical significance level of 0.05. The results of this study can be used by nurses and others healthcare providers to plan the development of programs or health promotion activities aimed at enhancing health literacy. This, in turn, serves as a preventive measure against depression and contributes to an improved quality of life for breast cancer patients.
Institution: Burapha University
Language: Thai
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7220201883