Evaluation of adolescents' cardiovascular health behaviors and health literacy levels in Turkey.

Purpose: The study aimed to examine the relationship between cardiovascular health behaviors and health literacy levels of adolescents.

Design and methods: Cross-sectional design was used in this study. The sample consisted of 1228 students from two secondary schools in Turkey. The study data were collected in 2020. The data were collected via the Cardiovascular Health Behavior Scale and the The Health Literacy Scale.

Results: Cardiovascular Health Behavior Scale for Children mean score was 56.07 ± 10.80. The Health Literacy Scale total mean score of the students was 30.93 ± 5.31. The mean scores of the Cardiovascular Health Behavior Scale for those who were 14 years old, female, studying in the 8th grade, whose parents were primary school graduates, and presence of a person who has had a heart attack in the family were found to be statistically significantly higher. The average health literacy score of students who were female, high income, and who had parents with a baccalaureate or graduate degree was found to be statistically significantly higher. The Cardiovascular Health Behavior Scale and The Health Literacy Scale showed a weak negative correlation.

Conclusions: The cardiovascular health behaviors and health literacy of adolescents were found to be moderate. In order to improve adolescents' health literacy and help them develop good cardiovascular health habits from an early age, interventions should be planned and overseen in collaboration.

Practice implications: Adolescent health promotion requires that nurses assess adolescents' cardiovascular health behaviors and health literacy levels. To achieve the objectives of enhanced cardiovascular health behaviors and better health literacy, parent cooperation is also required.