Content area
Introduction
Digital health literacy is integral to accessing reliable information, especially for students making informed health decisions. This study aims to assess the digital health literacy level as well as sociodemographic factors of students of universities in Asadabad County, Hamadan, Western Iran.
Methods
The present research was a descriptive-cross-sectional study conducted between May to June 2024. The statistical population included 500 students from the following Iranian universities in Asadabad county: Islamic Azad University, Payame Noor University, Technical and Vocational College, and Asadabad School of Medical Sciences. The van der Vaart Digital Health Literacy Scale was used for data collection.
Results
The study showed that students’ digital health literacy status is moderate (47.19 ± 8.34). In the dimensions of digital health literacy, operational skills (61.84 ± 32.97) were at a desirable level, with the most significant issues related to privacy protection (23.51 ± 21.72). The mean digital health literacy score of students of Medical Sciences University was significantly higher than Azad University (P < 0.001) but lower than Technical and Vocational University (P = 0.048). There was a significant relationship between digital health literacy and the variables of the university of study (p < 0.001), gender (p = 0.049), education level (p = 0.017), nativity status (p = 0.001), and residence status (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
The results of the present study revealed that the digital health literacy of students in Iran was moderate, depending on sociodemographic factors. The findings from this study can be used to develop and implement interventions and strategies to improve digital health literacy.
Details
Multiple Regression Analysis;
Questionnaires;
Data Collection;
Influence of Technology;
School Demography;
Educational Methods;
Sample Size;
Outcomes of Treatment;
Educational Technology;
Electronic Equipment;
Information Literacy;
Educational Attainment;
Ethics;
Privacy;
Knowledge Level;
Data Analysis;
Marital Status;
Internet;
County Programs;
Computer Use;
College Science;
Scientific Literacy;
Educational Strategies;
Individual Characteristics
; Ziapour, Arash 2
; Ahmadinia, Hassan 3
1 Asadabad School of Medical Sciences, Department of Public Health, Asadabad, Iran
2 Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Cardiovascular Research Center, Health Policy and Promotion Institute, Kermanshah, Iran (GRID:grid.412112.5) (ISNI:0000 0001 2012 5829); Khazar University, Psychology Research Centre, Baku, Azerbaijan (GRID:grid.442897.4) (ISNI:0000 0001 0743 1899)
3 Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health, Occupational Environment Research Center, Rafsanjan, Iran (GRID:grid.412653.7) (ISNI:0000 0004 0405 6183)