Health Literacy and Active Aging Attitudes among Adults Aged 55–65 in Türkiye: A Cross-Sectional Study
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Abstract
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Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate health literacy levels and active aging attitudes among pre-elderly adults
aged 55–65 years living in Edirne, Türkiye, and to examine the association between these two constructs.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between February and March 2023 in family health
centers in Edirne. A total of 387 adults aged 55–65 years were included. Data were collected using a
sociodemographic questionnaire, the Adult Health Literacy Scale, and the Active Aging Scale. Correlation
analyses and multiple linear regression models were used to examine associations.
Results: The mean age of participants was 59.9 ± 3.1 years, and 52.7% were women. Mean scores for
both health literacy and active aging attitudes were moderate relative to the theoretical score ranges of
the respective scales. Health literacy was positively correlated with active aging attitudes (ρ = 0.470, p <
0.001). Higher education, higher income, and better self-rated health were independently associated with
higher scores in both domains. Smoking was negatively associated with active aging attitudes but not with
health literacy.
Conclusion: Among pre-elderly adults aged 55–65 years, health literacy was positively associated with
active aging attitudes, with a moderate-strength correlation. Education, income, and perceived health
emerged as key correlates, while smoking was associated with less favorable active aging attitudes.
Although causal inferences cannot be drawn due to the cross-sectional design, the findings suggest that
health literacy may represent an important correlate of active aging in this age group.
