A Study of the Relationship and Predictive Power of Health Literacy on Health Behaviors Based on the 3Es Principle among Nursing Students at Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Surin

Abstract

Background: Nursing students play an important role as health role models for the public; however, the context of each institution may differ. Therefore, this study is important to provide information for promoting appropriate health literacy and healthy behaviors among nursing students.

Objectives: 1) To examine the level of health literacy based on the 3Es principle. 2) To examine the level of health behaviors based on the 3Es principle. 3) To examine the relationship between health literacy and health behaviors based on the 3Es principle. 4) To examine the predictive power of health literacy on health behaviors based on the 3Es principle.

Methods: This study employed predictive correlational research. The sample consisted of 110 nursing students from Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Surin, selected through stratified random sampling. The research instruments were questionnaires on health literacy and health behaviors based on the 3Es principle, adapted from the Health Education Division, Ministry of Public Health. The reliability coefficient of the instruments was 0.863. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis. Data were collected from September 1^st, 2024, to September 30^th, 2024.

Results: 1) The participants demonstrated a good level of health literacy based on the 3E principle. When considering each component, knowledge and understanding of health were at a fair level, while health communication skills were at a good level. Skills in accessing health information and services, self-management skills, media and information literacy skills, and decision-making skills were at a very good level. 2) Health behaviors based on the 3Es principle were at a good level. 3) Skills in accessing health information and services and self-management skills showed a moderate correlation with health behaviors based on the 3Es principle (r = 0.488, r = 0.549; p < 0.001). Media and information literacy skills and health communication skills showed a low correlation with health behaviors based on the 3Es principle (r = 0.324, r = 0.280, p < 0.001). 4) Skills in accessing health information and services and self-management skills jointly predicted health behaviors based on the 3Es principle by 37.9% (R² = 0.379, Adjusted R² = 0.342, F = 10.370, p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Health literacy, particularly skills in accessing health information and services together with self-management skills, is an important factor influencing nursing students’ health behaviors based on the 3E principles. Therefore, developing these skills is an essential approach to promoting appropriate health behaviors.