Özlem Örsal

Analysis of the relationship among health awareness and health literacy, patient satisfaction levels with primary care in patients admitting to primary care health centers

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to examine the relationships between health literacy, primary care satisfaction levels and health awareness of the patients who were admitted to primary care centers (Family Health Centers). METHODS This is a cross-sectional study conducted on individuals who were admitted to Family Health Centers (n = 1.055) in Eskisehir province. The study data were collected by using Turkish Health Literacy Scale, the European Patients Evaluate General/Family Practice Scale and Health Awareness Scale. RESULTS As health literacy of participants increases, health awareness and satisfaction with primary care also increases (for each, p < .001). Health awareness increases health literacy by 0.55 points, health literacy increases satisfaction in primary care by 0.26 points. CONCLUSION In the province of Eskisehir, the health literacy level of 7 out of 10 patients, who admitted to the primary care institution, is inadequate or problematic. As health awareness of participants increases, their level of health literacy also increases. As health literacy of participants increases, their satisfaction with family physicians also increases. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS As an integral part of preventive health services, studies should be performed to increase and improve the level of health literacy of patients who are admitted to primary care services.

The Effect of Workplace Bullying Perception on Psychological Symptoms: A Structural Equation Approach

Background The aims of this study were to determine the extent of workplace bullying perceptions among the employees of a Faculty of Medicine, evaluating the variables considered to be associated, and determining the effect of workplace bullying perceptions on their psychological symptoms evaluated by the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Methods This cross-sectional study was performed involving 355 (88.75%) employees. Results Levels of perceived workplace bullying were found to increase with the increasing scores for BSI and BSI sub-dimensions of anxiety, depression, negative self, somatization, and hostility (all p < 0.001). One point increase in the workplace bullying perception score was associated with a 0.47 point increase in psychological symptoms evaluated by BSI. Moreover, the workplace bullying perception scores were most strongly affected by the scores of anxiety, negative self, depression, hostility, and somatization (all p < 0.05). Conclusion The present results revealed that young individuals, divorced individuals, faculty members, and individuals with a chronic disease had the greatest workplace bullying perceptions with our study population. Additionally, the BSI, anxiety, depression, negative self, somatization, and hostility scores of the individuals with high levels of workplace bullying perceptions were also high.

Use of effective contraceptive methods by married Turkish women: A receiver operating characteristic analysis

We used an attitude scale to predict the use of effective contraceptive methods by Turkish women and to determine the appropriate attitude scale cut-off score that would best predict contraceptive use. Participants were 590 married Turkish women who completed a questionnaire developed by the authors and a family planning attitude scale developed by Orsal and Kubilay (2007). We found that the total attitude score could be a diagnostic measure to predict the use of effective contraceptive methods, with a novel cut-off score of 119. If the total score gained on the scale is over 119, the woman will be receptive to information about family planning and use of effective contraceptive methods.