Evaluation of Readability Levels of Online Hallux Valgus Content
Keywords:
Comprehension, Hallux Valgus, Health Literacy, Internet, ReadabilityAbstract
Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the readability levels of Turkish web-based information related to hallux valgus, a common forefoot deformity.
Methods: A descriptive content analysis was conducted. Using the keyword “Halluks Valgus,” Turkish web pages accessible via Google Turkey were screened in November 2025. Among the first 97 search results, 46 eligible pages containing textual health information were included based on predefined criteria. Readability levels were assessed using the Ateşman Readability Index. Each text was analyzed through an online tool to obtain structural linguistic metrics, and readability scores were classified according to the Ateşman scale. Descriptive statistics were calculated using IBM SPSS 25.0.
Results: Among the included online sources, 44.7% were authored by physicians, 36.2% by hospitals, and 19.1% by other providers. Author information was available in 66% of the content, while 72.3% of pages were up-to-date. The mean Ateşman score was 57.91±6.04, indicating a moderate difficulty level. Overall, 89.4% of texts were categorized as moderately difficult, 2.1% as easy, and 8.5% as difficult. More than half of the content corresponded to an 11th–12th grade reading level.
Conclusion: Turkish online materials on hallux valgus generally require a high reading level and exhibit moderate readability. The frequent use of technical terminology and long sentence structures may limit accessibility for individuals with low health literacy. Improving clarity, simplifying language, and ensuring regular content updates may enhance the effectiveness and usability of digital health communication.
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