Health Literacy and Anxiety about Aging in Middle-Aged Adults. A Cross-Sectional Study in Babol, Iran

Background and Objective: Middle-aged adults often experience anxiety related to aging, particularly as they face life challenges and health-related concerns associated with getting older. Health literacy is a key factor in managing well-being during this stage of life, especially when dealing with chronic conditions. This study explores the relationship between anxiety about aging and health literacy in middle-aged individuals.Material and Methods: A descriptive correlational study was carried out in ۲۰۲۴, involving ۴۳۱ middle-aged residents of Babol city. Participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were gathered using a demographic questionnaire, the Lasher and Faulkender Anxiety about Aging Scale (AAS) with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of ۰.۸۲, and the Iranian Health Literacy Questionnaire (HELIA) with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of ۰.۹۴. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version ۱۶, including independent t-tests, ANOVA, regression analysis, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient.Results: The average score for anxiety about aging was ۴۹.۵۰±۸.۹۸, indicating a moderate level, while the mean health literacy score was ۶۷.۶۹±۱۳.۸۶, indicating an adequate level of health literacy. Anxiety about aging was significantly associated with gender (P=۰.۰۱), occupation (P=۰.۰۲), education (P=۰.۰۲۶), marital status (P=۰.۰۲۹), and income (P=۰.۰۰۲). Health literacy was significantly related to age (P=۰.۰۰۲), education (P=۰.۰۰۱), occupation (P=۰.۰۰۲), insurance coverage (P=۰.۰۰۱), income (P<۰.۰۰۱), and sources of health information (P=۰.۰۰۵). A significant inverse relationship was found between anxiety about aging and health literacy (r=-۰.۴۲۵, P<۰.۰۰۱). All dimensions of anxiety about aging were inversely correlated with every domain of health literacy (P<۰.۰۰۱).Conclusion: Enhancing health literacy within middle-aged population could play a pivotal role in reducing anxiety related to aging, as individuals with higher health literacy are better equipped to manage health-related challenges and make informed decisions. It is crucial for policymakers to design and implement educational programs that focus on enhancing health literacy and alleviating anxiety about aging among middle-aged individuals.

کلیدواژه ها:

Aging ، Anxiety ، Health Literacy ، middle age