Predictive Power of Health Literacy on COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors of Nursing Students
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Abstract
Purpose: This research aimed to study the level of health literacy, COVID-19 preventive behaviors, and to examine the predictive power of health literacy on COVID-19 preventive behaviors among nursing students.
Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study.
Methods: The study was conducted among 742 nursing students enrolling in the Nursing Program for the academic year 2022. Data were collected via online survey platform (Google Form) using demographic information questionnaire, health literacy assessment form, and preventive behaviors on COVID-19 questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression were carried out to analyze the data.
Main findings: The results revealed that average scores of the overall health literacy and COVID-19 preventive behaviors among nursing students were at a sufficient level ( = 105.30, SD = 13.61), and a high level (
= 48.61, SD = 7.77), respectively. Statistically significant relationships between five dimensions of health literacy and COVID-19 preventive behaviors were found. Only two dimensions of health literacy including asking questions (β = .23, p < .001) and accessing health information (β = .21, p < .001) could significantly predict COVID-19 preventive behaviors.
Conclusions and recommendations: COVID-19 preventive behaviors of nursing students can be predicted by health literacy. Therefore, nursing institutions should promote health literacy among their nursing students to serve as a role model for engaging in COVID-19 preventive behaviors. This promotion will also enable them to effectively communicate information about the COVID-19 disease and its prevention to their patients.
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