Risk Management and Healthcare Policy (May 2023)
Health Literacy Among University Students in Shaanxi Province of China: A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Shuqiang Wu,1,2,* Bilin Shao,1,* Gaimei Wang2 1School of Management, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an, 710055, People’s Republic of China; 2College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi’an, 710021, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Shuqiang Wu, School of Management, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, 13 Yanta Road, Beilin District, Xi’an, 710055, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86029-86168302, Fax +86029-86168127, Email [email protected]: An adequate level of health literacy will help university students to better respond to public health emergencies and reduce unintended harm caused by public health events. The objective of this study was to assess the health literacy levels of students from Universities of Shaanxi province of China, in order to provide a basis for the development of health literacy promotion plan for university students.Methods: An online cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted at five universities in Shaanxi Province of China on the Wen-Juan-Xing online platform. A purposive sampling method was used to 1578 students via self-administered questionnaire. Comparisons of means were made using the t-test and ANOVA, and comparisons of ratios or composition ratios were made using the χ2 test.Results: The mean score for health literacy was (105.33± 10.14) out of 135, and the mean scores for the three dimensions of health knowledge, attitudes and practices were (36.093± 4.192), (34.178± 4.227) and (35.059± 4.515) respectively. Of the total sample, 39.2% were classified as sufficient in health literacy. Female students had higher health literacy level than male students (t=4.064, p=0.044), lower grade students scored higher than higher grade (F=3.194, p=0.013), students from urban cities scored higher than those who came from rural areas (t=16.376, p< 0.001), and university students with health education experience scored higher than those without (t=24.389, p< 0.001).Conclusion: University students’ health literacy is closely related to their gender, grades, family location and health education experience.Keywords: health literacy, knowledge, attitudes, practices, university students
