The study of the relationship between quality of life and health literacy among students of Abadan Faculty of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Health literacy is an essential element in people's ability to contribute to health-related activities, health decisions, and the ability to prevent illness and lifestyle. Today, health literacy is a global issue because many unpleasant health outcomes result from inadequate health literacy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between quality of life and health literacy among students of Abadan Faculty of Medical Sciences. Method: 250 undergraduate and graduate students were selected through stratified random sampling. Data were gathered using health literacy assessment and SF-36 quality of life questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 19, Pearson correlation test and multiple linear regression coefficient. Findings: There was a direct and meaningful weak relationship between the variables of health literacy and the quality of life (r=0.272). Also, there was a direct and significant correlation between mental health score and physical health (r=0.722), reading and access (r=0.604), understanding (r=0.654), evaluation (r=0.538), decision making and behavior (r=0.484). There was also a direct and significant correlation between understanding and reading (r=0.549) and evaluation (r=0.722). There was a direct and significant correlation between evaluation and reading (r=0.552), decision making and behavior and understanding (r=0.489) and evaluation (r=0.458). Conclusion: Students with a low level of health literacy have poor quality of life and individuals with better mental health have a healthier physical form. Considering the students’ higher score of physical health than their mental health, it is recommended to hold training workshops on stress management, management of living plans, lifestyle in the dormitory, healthy relationships with others, and increased sports and recreational programs to improve the mental health and identify the problems accurately and solve them.