IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v20y2023i3p2611-d1053339.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Digital Health Literacy and Information-Seeking in the Era of COVID-19: Gender Differences Emerged from a Florentine University Experience

Author

Listed:
  • Guglielmo Bonaccorsi

    (Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Morgagni Blvd 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
    Health Literacy Laboratory, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Morgagni Blvd 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Veronica Gallinoro

    (School of Specialization in Public Health, University of Florence, Morgagni Blvd 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Andrea Guida

    (School of Specialization in Public Health, University of Florence, Morgagni Blvd 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Chiara Morittu

    (School of Specialization in Public Health, University of Florence, Morgagni Blvd 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Valerio Ferro Allodola

    (Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Morgagni Blvd 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Vieri Lastrucci

    (Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Morgagni Blvd 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
    Epidemiology Unit, Meyer Children’s University Hospital, 50139 Florence, Italy)

  • Patrizio Zanobini

    (Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Morgagni Blvd 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
    Health Literacy Laboratory, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Morgagni Blvd 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Orkan Okan

    (Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University Munich, Uptown München-Campus D, Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62, 80092 Munich, Germany)

  • Kevin Dadaczynski

    (Department of Health Sciences, Fulda University of Applied Sciences, 36037 Fulda, Germany
    Center for Applied Health Science, Leuphana University Lueneburg, 21335 Lueneburg, Germany)

  • Chiara Lorini

    (Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Morgagni Blvd 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
    Health Literacy Laboratory, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Morgagni Blvd 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

Abstract

Gender appears to be a strong predictor of online health information-seeking behaviour (OHISB), which is related to Digital Health Literacy (DHL). Gender differences in OHISB have been studied in different countries with different results, but no studies have investigated gender-specific OHISB among University students during the COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to investigate any gender differences in OHISB in the period between the first and second waves of the pandemic in Italian university students. A questionnaire developed by the global COVID-HL network, including existing and adapted validated scales and self-developed scales, was administered to 2996 University students in Florence. Gender differences were tested using the χ 2 test or the Mann–Whitney U test. Male students reported a higher score in DHL than females ( p < 0.001). However, female students seek COVID-19 information more often on different sources (for themselves and other people), on various topics, consider various aspects of information quality to be “very important’’ ( p < 0.05) and are more likely to be “often dissatisfied’’ or ”partly satisfied’’ with information ( p < 0.001). Our study confirmed gender as an important dimension to explain students’ OHISB differences, which could help institutions promote gender-specific education programmes and provide gender-oriented health information.

Suggested Citation

  • Guglielmo Bonaccorsi & Veronica Gallinoro & Andrea Guida & Chiara Morittu & Valerio Ferro Allodola & Vieri Lastrucci & Patrizio Zanobini & Orkan Okan & Kevin Dadaczynski & Chiara Lorini, 2023. "Digital Health Literacy and Information-Seeking in the Era of COVID-19: Gender Differences Emerged from a Florentine University Experience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-12, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:3:p:2611-:d:1053339
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/3/2611/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/3/2611/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rubeena Zakar & Sarosh Iqbal & Muhammad Zakria Zakar & Florian Fischer, 2021. "COVID-19 and Health Information Seeking Behavior: Digital Health Literacy Survey amongst University Students in Pakistan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-20, April.
    2. Rafaela Rosário & Maria R. O. Martins & Cláudia Augusto & Maria José Silva & Silvana Martins & Ana Duarte & Inês Fronteira & Neida Ramos & Orkan Okan & Kevin Dadaczynski, 2020. "Associations between COVID-19-Related Digital Health Literacy and Online Information-Seeking Behavior among Portuguese University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Manierre, Matthew J., 2015. "Gaps in knowledge: Tracking and explaining gender differences in health information seeking," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 151-158.
    4. Joseph Heffner & Marc-Lluís Vives & Oriel FeldmanHall, 2021. "Anxiety, gender, and social media consumption predict COVID-19 emotional distress," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 8(1), pages 1-7, December.
    5. Mitja Vrdelja & Sanja Vrbovšek & Vito Klopčič & Kevin Dadaczynski & Orkan Okan, 2021. "Facing the Growing COVID-19 Infodemic: Digital Health Literacy and Information-Seeking Behaviour of University Students in Slovenia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-16, August.
    6. Vieri Lastrucci & Chiara Lorini & Marco Del Riccio & Eleonora Gori & Fabrizio Chiesi & Andrea Moscadelli & Beatrice Zanella & Sara Boccalini & Angela Bechini & Francesco Puggelli & Renzo Berti & Paolo, 2021. "The Role of Health Literacy in COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors and Infection Risk Perception: Evidence from a Population-Based Sample of Essential Frontline Workers during the Lockdown in the Province o," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-14, December.
    7. Yan Zhang & Fan Zhang & Ping Hu & Wenjie Huang & Lu Lu & Ruixue Bai & Manoj Sharma & Yong Zhao, 2016. "Exploring Health Literacy in Medical University Students of Chongqing, China: A Cross-Sectional Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(4), pages 1-10, April.
    8. Uday Patil & Uliana Kostareva & Molly Hadley & Jennifer A. Manganello & Orkan Okan & Kevin Dadaczynski & Philip M. Massey & Joy Agner & Tetine Sentell, 2021. "Health Literacy, Digital Health Literacy, and COVID-19 Pandemic Attitudes and Behaviors in U.S. College Students: Implications for Interventions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-14, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Sheng-Chih Chen & Le Duc Huy & Cheng-Yu Lin & Chih-Feng Lai & Nhi Thi Hong Nguyen & Nhi Y. Hoang & Thao T. P. Nguyen & Loan T. Dang & Nguyen L. T. Truong & Tan N. Phan & Tuyen Van Duong, 2022. "Association of Digital Health Literacy with Future Anxiety as Mediated by Information Satisfaction and Fear of COVID-19: A Pathway Analysis among Taiwanese Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-16, November.
    2. Chiara Lorini & Veronica Velasco & Guglielmo Bonaccorsi & Kevin Dadaczynski & Orkan Okan & Patrizio Zanobini & Luca P. Vecchio, 2022. "Validation of the COVID-19 Digital Health Literacy Instrument in the Italian Language: A Cross-Sectional Study of Italian University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-17, May.
    3. Pilar Bas-Sarmiento & María José Lamas-Toranzo & Martina Fernández-Gutiérrez & Miriam Poza-Méndez, 2022. "Health Literacy, Misinformation, Self-Perceived Risk and Fear, and Preventive Measures Related to COVID-19 in Spanish University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-18, November.
    4. Carsten K. Bak & Jeanne Ø. Krammer & Kevin Dadaczynski & Okan Orkan & Jesper von Seelen & Christina Prinds & Lene M. Søbjerg & Heidi Klakk, 2022. "Digital Health Literacy and Information-Seeking Behavior among University College Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study from Denmark," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-14, March.
    5. María F. Rivadeneira & María J. Miranda-Velasco & Hiram V. Arroyo & José D. Caicedo-Gallardo & Carmen Salvador-Pinos, 2022. "Digital Health Literacy Related to COVID-19: Validation and Implementation of a Questionnaire in Hispanic University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-14, March.
    6. Sofia Almeida & Elisabete Pinto & Marta Correia & Nélio Veiga & Armando Almeida, 2024. "Evaluating E-Health Literacy, Knowledge, Attitude, and Health Online Information in Portuguese University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(3), pages 1-11, February.
    7. Mitja Vrdelja & Sanja Vrbovšek & Vito Klopčič & Kevin Dadaczynski & Orkan Okan, 2021. "Facing the Growing COVID-19 Infodemic: Digital Health Literacy and Information-Seeking Behaviour of University Students in Slovenia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-16, August.
    8. Heeran Chun & Eun-Ja Park & Seul Ki Choi & Hyeran Yoon & Orkan Okan & Kevin Dadaczynski, 2022. "Validating the Digital Health Literacy Instrument in Relation to COVID-19 Information (COVID-DHL-K) among South Korean Undergraduates," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-9, March.
    9. Maria João Silva & Paulo Santos, 2021. "The Impact of Health Literacy on Knowledge and Attitudes towards Preventive Strategies against COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-12, May.
    10. Hsiu-Ju Jen & Kuei-Ru Chou & Ching-Yi Chang, 2022. "Fostering Nursing Staff Competence in Personal Protective Equipment Education during COVID-19: A Mobile-Video Online Learning Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-10, July.
    11. Patrizio Zanobini & Chiara Lorini & Saverio Caini & Vieri Lastrucci & Maria Masocco & Valentina Minardi & Valentina Possenti & Giovanna Mereu & Rossella Cecconi & Guglielmo Bonaccorsi, 2022. "Health Literacy, Socioeconomic Status and Vaccination Uptake: A Study on Influenza Vaccination in a Population-Based Sample," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-12, June.
    12. Veronika Anselmann & Simone Halder & Sophie Sauer, 2024. "Nursing Students’ Health Literacy and Strategies to Foster Patients’ Health Literacy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(8), pages 1-9, August.
    13. Rafaela Rosário & Inês Fronteira & Maria R. O. Martins & Cláudia Augusto & Maria José Silva & Melanie Messer & Silvana Martins & Ana Duarte & Neida Ramos & Katharina Rathmann & Orkan Okan & Kevin Dada, 2022. "Infodemic Preparedness and COVID-19: Searching about Public Health and Social Measures Is Associated with Digital Health Literacy in University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-9, September.
    14. Kati Hiltrop & Nina Hiebel & Franziska Geiser & Milena Kriegsmann-Rabe & Nikoloz Gambashidze & Eva Morawa & Yesim Erim & Kerstin Weidner & Christian Albus & Nicole Ernstmann, 2021. "Measuring COVID-19 Related Health Literacy in Healthcare Professionals—Psychometric Evaluation of the HL-COV-HP Instrument," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-10, November.
    15. Al Asyary & Meita Veruswati & Rony Darmawansyah Alnur & La Ode Ahmad Saktiansyah & La Ode Hasnuddin S. Sagala & Syawal Kamiluddin Saptaputra & Eka Oktavia & Maria Holly Herawati & Ririn Arminsih Wulan, 2023. "Determinants of COVID-19 Knowledge, Perception and Attitudes in Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-11, February.
    16. Aldo Rosano & Chiara Lorini & Brigid Unim & Robert Griebler & Chiara Cadeddu & Luca Regazzi & Daniela Galeone & Luigi Palmieri, 2022. "Coronavirus-Related Health Literacy: A Cross-Sectional Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-13, March.
    17. Olga Papadopoulou & Evangelia Kartsounidou & Symeon Papadopoulos, 2022. "COVID-Related Misinformation Migration to BitChute and Odysee," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-22, November.
    18. Mariusz Duplaga, 2022. "The Roles of Health and e-Health Literacy, Conspiracy Beliefs and Political Sympathy in the Adherence to Preventive Measures Recommended during the Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-13, July.
    19. Michal Dolezel & Zdenek Smutny, 2021. "Usage of eHealth/mHealth Services among Young Czech Adults and the Impact of COVID-19: An Explorative Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-16, July.
    20. Muhammad Imran & Umair Qazi & Ferda Ofli, 2022. "TBCOV: Two Billion Multilingual COVID-19 Tweets with Sentiment, Entity, Geo, and Gender Labels," Data, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-27, January.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:3:p:2611-:d:1053339. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.