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Evaluating E-Health Literacy, Knowledge, Attitude, and Health Online Information in Portuguese University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Sofia Almeida

    (Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Health (CIIS), Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 4169-055 Porto, Portugal)

  • Elisabete Pinto

    (Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal)

  • Marta Correia

    (Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal)

  • Nélio Veiga

    (Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Health (CIIS), Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 3504-505 Viseu, Portugal)

  • Armando Almeida

    (Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Health (CIIS), Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 4169-055 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

Background: The main objective of the present study was to assess e-health literacy in a sample of Portuguese university students and its association with the level of knowledge and seeking for COVID-19-related information. Methods: This cross-sectional online study was conducted on Portuguese university students. All students completed a questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristics, e-health Literacy Scale (eHEALS), and a questionnaire about knowledge, attitude, and health online information seeking. Results: A total of 534 students (76.8% women), with a mean age of 24.3 years old (SD = 7.8), participated in this cross-sectional study, 53.0% of students were from non-health sciences. The mean score of eHEALS literacy was 28.8 (SD = 5.6). Most students (71.1%) classified the Internet as a useful, or very useful, tool in helping them make health related decisions. The use of the Internet as a tool to research health information for a period of two or more hours (OR = 1.9; CI 95% = 1.2; 3.4), to search online for health information on professional websites (OR = 2.3; CI 95% = 1.4; 3.6), to search in official media (OR = 2.3; CI 95% = 1.4; 3.9), and to study in the field of health sciences (OR = 1.6; CI 95% = 1.1; 2.6) increased the likelihood of having sufficient e-health literacy. Conclusion: From a public health perspective, there is a need to develop programs that increase health literacy among university students.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:3:p:271-:d:1346946
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    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.
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