The relationship between health literacy and surgical fear in patients undergoing urological surgery: a cross-sectional study

PSYCHOLOGY,HEALTH & MEDICINE, cilt.0, sa.0, ss.1-16, 2026 (SSCI)

This study aimed to examine the relationship between health lit-

eracy levels and surgical fear among patients scheduled for urolo-

gical surgical interventions, as well as the sociodemographic factors

associated with these variables. Surgical fear is common among

patients undergoing urological surgery and may affect their adap-

tation to the surgical process. Health literacy may influence how

patients understand and cope with surgery. This descriptive, cross-

sectional, and correlational study was conducted with 160 patients

scheduled for surgery at the urology department of a university

hospital in southern Türkiye. Data were collected through face-to-

face interviews using the ‘Patient Information Form’, the ‘Surgical

Fear Questionnaire’, and the ‘Health Literacy Scale’. The mean total

score on the Surgical Fear Questionnaire was 33.13 ± 18.31, while

the mean total score on the Health Literacy Scale was 68.08 ± 25.48.

Surgical fear scores were found to be significantly higher among

female patients and those with lower levels of education and

income (p < 0.05). In contrast, health literacy scores were signifi-

cantly higher among single individuals, those with higher educa-

tional attainment, and those residing in urban areas (p < 0.001).

A moderate, negative correlation was identified between Surgical

Fear Questionnaire and the Health Literacy Scale (r = -0.360, p <

0.001). Furthermore, path analysis showed that, after controlling for

socioeconomic variables, education level (β = -0.52) and income

status (β = -0.18) were significant predictors of surgical fear (p <

0.001). This study demonstrates a significant and negative relation-

ship between health literacy and surgical fear among patients

undergoing urological surgery, highlighting the need to consider

surgical fear within the context of socioeconomic factors such as

education and income. Personalized informational and supportive

interventions for patients with low health literacy and those who

are socioeconomically disadvantaged.