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Journals / Uluborlu Mesleki Bilimler Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 9 Sayı: 2026

The Role of Health Literacy and Socio-Demographic Determinants in Healthcare Demand Postponement Behavior: A Cross-Sectional Study

Sağlık Hizmeti Talep Erteleme Davranışında Sağlık Okuryazarlığı ve Sosyo-Demografik Belirleyicilerin Rolü: Kesitsel Bir Araştırma

Hakan Oğuz Arı(SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, GÜLHANE SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0001-5817-0916
Fatma Nur Şahin(SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, GÜLHANE SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ FAKÜLTESİ, SAĞLIK YÖNETİMİ BÖLÜMÜ, SAĞLIK YÖNETİMİ ANABİLİM DALI)0009-0006-3785-8686
Pages
1–17
Publication Date
2026-10-27
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings revealed a weak negative relationship of borderline statistical significance between health literacy and healthcare demand delay behavior (r=-0.092, p=0.050).

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Despite improvements in access to healthcare services, delaying healthcare seeking remains a significant public health concern.
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Key Findings & Data:This descriptive, cross-sectional study included 453 participants aged 18 years and older living in Türkiye, who completed an online survey.
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Conclusion & Impact:The findings revealed a weak negative relationship of borderline statistical significance between health literacy and healthcare demand delay behavior (r=-0.092, p=0.050).
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Sağlık Hizmeti Talebi · Sağlık Hizmetlerine Erişim · Sağlık Okuryazarlığı

Abstract

Despite improvements in access to healthcare services, delaying healthcare seeking remains a significant public health concern. This study aimed to examine the relationship between health literacy and healthcare-seeking delay among adults and to evaluate differences according to sociodemographic characteristics. This descriptive, cross-sectional study included 453 participants aged 18 years and older living in Türkiye, who completed an online survey. Data were analyzed using the independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression analyses. The findings revealed a weak negative relationship of borderline statistical significance between health literacy and healthcare demand delay behavior (r=-0.092, p=0.050). Furthermore, multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the practical effect size of health literacy in explaining delay behavior remained extremely limited (Adjusted R²=0.006, accounting for 0.6% of the variance). In addition, younger adults, single individuals, those with lower income, without health insurance, experiencing difficulties in accessing healthcare services, and without chronic diseases exhibited higher levels of healthcare-seeking delay. The results indicate that healthcare-seeking delay is associated not only with health literacy but also with economic, structural, and healthcare access–related factors.

Özet

Günümüzde sağlık hizmetlerine erişim olanaklarının artmasına rağmen, sağlık hizmeti talep erteleme davranışı önemli bir halk sağlığı sorunudur. Bu araştırma, yetişkin bireylerde sağlık okuryazarlığı ile sağlık hizmeti talep erteleme davranışı arasındaki ilişkiyi ve sosyo-demografik farklılıkları incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Tanımlayıcı ve kesitsel nitelikteki araştırmanın verileri, Türkiye'de yaşayan 18 yaş ve üzeri 453 katılımcıdan çevrimiçi anket yoluyla toplanmıştır. Veriler, bağımsız örneklem t-testi, tek yönlü varyans analizi (ANOVA), Pearson korelasyon ve çoklu doğrusal regresyon analizleriyle değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular, sağlık okuryazarlığı ile sağlık hizmeti talep erteleme davranışı arasında istatistiksel olarak tam sınır değerde ve zayıf negatif bir ilişki olduğunu göstermiştir (r=-0,092; p=0,050). Çoklu regresyon analizinde ise sağlık okuryazarlığının erteleme davranışını açıklamadaki pratik etki büyüklüğünün son derece sınırlı kaldığı (Düzeltilmiş R² = 0,006, varyansın %0,6'sı) saptanmıştır. Ayrıca genç, bekar, düşük gelirli, sağlık güvencesi olmayan, sağlık hizmetlerine erişimde güçlük yaşayan ve kronik hastalığı bulunmayan bireylerin erteleme davranışının daha yüksek olduğu belirlenmiştir. Sonuçlar, sağlık hizmeti talep ertelemesinin sağlık okuryazarlığının yanı sıra ekonomik, yapısal ve erişimle ilişkili faktörler çerçevesinde şekillendiğini göstermektedir.

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Cite This Article

Arı, H. O., Şahin, F. N. (2026). The Role of Health Literacy and Socio-Demographic Determinants in Healthcare Demand Postponement Behavior: A Cross-Sectional Study. Uluborlu Mesleki Bilimler Dergisi, Cilt: 9 Sayı: 2026, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.71445/umbd.2008344

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