Turkish Sign Language Adaptation of the Turkish Health Literacy Scale-32

Abstract

Sign language speakers are at a disadvantage in terms of health literacy due to the lack of health education materials in sign languages. Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) individuals are excluded from health literacy research due to the lack of measurement tools in their language of excellent fluency. This study aims to provide the literature with a tool that allows the measurement of health literacy among DHH individuals. The Turkish Health Literacy Scale (THLS)-32 was translated into Turkish Sign Language (TSL). After the THLS-32 was translated into TSL in video format, it was tested for validity and reliability. The translated version of the scale was administered to participants from a DHH association in Turkey who are fluent in TSL. Subsequently, a study was conducted with 207 DHH individuals. The study group was assessed in terms of their mean index scores and evaluated to have "limited health literacy" according to the THLS-32 classification. We conclude that the THLS-32 in TSL is suitable to measure health literacy in DHH individuals and to assess the impact of the health education system.