ABSTRACT
Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) entails health-related risks for all humans, especially for vulnerable people. People at the age of 50 or older, smokers and people with obesity and comorbidities are at higher risk for a severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) course. For this population group in particular, there is an increased need for protection. The extent to which protective behavior differs between individuals with high and low health vulnerability has been little studied so far. Methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted including a convenience sample of 210 individuals aged 18 years and older living in Germany. In addition to infection protection measures, information seeking behavior and COVID-19-related health literacy were assessed. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were performed, with a significance level of p < 0.05 for all analyses. Results: Across all ages and levels of education, respondents showed a high level of compliance with infection protection measures (84%). While wearing a mask (96%) and avoiding travelling and shaking hands (95%) were used most frequently, touching one’s face with unwashed hands were reported by 47%. People aged under 30 years (35%) as well as those with limited health literacy (28%) showed significantly lower levels of protective behaviors in bivariate and multivariate analyses. However, stratified by the number of health vulnerabilities no differences in preventive protective behavior could be found. Conclusion: A high level of use of preventive protective measures was identified among respondents in this study. In univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses, health-related vulnerabilities are not associated with higher levels of protective behavior. Especially people with limited COVID-19-related health literacy show deficits in protective behaviors. There is a special need of target-group-specific information. © 2022, The Author(s).
ABSTRACT
Gender appears to be a strong predictor of online health information-seeking behaviour (OHISB). Gender differences in OHISB have been studied in different countries with different results, but no studies investigated gender-specific behaviour among University students during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has brought with it a consequential infodemic. We sought to investigate any gender differences in OHISB in the period between the first and the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A questionnaire promoted by the COVID-HL network was administered to 2996 students of all the courses at the University of Florence. It included existing validated scales adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic and newly developed scales. Gender differences were tested using the χ2 test or the Mann-Whitney U test, where appropriate. Male students reported a higher score in DHL than females (p < 0.001). However, female students reported using more often different sources for online information seeking (p < 0.05, except for YouTube), searching more corona-related topics (p < 0.05, except for economic and social consequences) and considering ‘‘very important'’ each item in the ‘‘Importance of internet information search'’ section (p < 0.05). Furthermore, female students are more likely to be ‘‘often dissatisfied'’ or ‘‘partly satisfied'’ with information about COVID-19 (p < 0.001) and to search more often for information for themselves and other people. Our study confirmed that gender could affect the way students search for health information on the Internet. Since students, in particular females, have been affected by stress and anxiety during the pandemic, these findings could help institutions to promote gender-specific education programmes to improve students’ DHL and their mental health outcomes, as well as to provide health information that fit specific gender needs. Key messages • Gender influences how university students search on the Internet for health information. • This should guide institutions to better address educational programmes to improve their Digital Health Literacy.
ABSTRACT
Background Digital communication technologies had a crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the internet and Social Media as highly frequented sources for retrieving health information. University student's health and well-being were highly affected and most interaction with peers and professionals migrated to the digital realm, which made digital health literacy (DHL) a key competence to navigate digital health environments. The main goal of the study was to explore DHL of students in Germany. Methods A cross-sectional online survey among students (N = 14916) from 130 universities in Germany was implemented as part of the global Covid-HL Network, collecting data on DHL, physical and mental health, SoC and sociodemographics. Data was analyzed using univariate, bivariate and regression analyses. Results Assessing the reliability of information (5964/14,103, 42.3%) and determining commercial interest of information posed the most difficult tasks (5489/14,097, 38.9%). Difficulties were revealed for finding information (4282/14,098, 30.4%). Female students reported lower DHL and social media use was associated with lower judgment skills. 38% of all students reported low and very low well-being and 29% reported at least two health complaints weekly, while health outcomes follow a social gradient (lower SES and gender). Regression analysis showed significant association between SoC and well-being (OR: 1.2-2.03) and health complaints (OR: 1.58-1.71). Higher future worries were with low well-being (OR: 2.83) and multiple health complaints (OR: 2.84). Conclusions There is an urgent need to enhance DHL and SoC of students and implement health promotion strategies, using target group specific intervention. Gender and socioeconomic differences must be taken into account and interventions could be delivered within the university. Measures should also address student mental health.
ABSTRACT
Background This study examines the extent to which schools implement activities on health promotion and prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, potential differences with regard to demographic variables, school type, state, and participation in state public health and health promotion initiatives are determined. Methods As part of the international COVID-Health Literacy Research Network, an online-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2021 with 2,186 school principals from three German federal states. The implementation status of COVID-19 related school health promotion was assessed using a self-developed instrument. After examining the factorial structure of the instrument, univariate and bivariate data analyses were performed. Results Three dimensions of implementing school health promotion can be identified (1. COVID-19- related support for pupils, 2. Health promoting design of teaching, learning and working conditions, 3. Principles of Health Promoting School). A low level of implementation can be observed for aspects of teaching, learning and working conditions (31%) as well as for participation (52%) and cooperation with community stakeholders (42%). Significant differences can be determined with female, older and primary school principals reporting a higher implementation status while for federal state mixed results are found. Stratified by participation in state health promotion initiatives, only schools with a certificate in health promotion show a higher level of implementation. Conclusions The results indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic is a disruptive event for schools, impeding the implementation of holistic activities on health promotion and prevention. In addition to systematic support for school principals in the area of health promotion and prevention, it should be ensured that existing initiatives are provided with sufficient resources, especially in times of crisis.
ABSTRACT
Health-related information is increasingly being provided via digital media and frequently consumed by young age groups in particular. This development was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, digital health literacy is becoming increasingly important. This paper focuses on university students by presenting findings of the international COVID-HL university student survey.
ABSTRACT
Background The public health importance of digital health literacy has significantly increased during COVID-19 pandemic all over the world. Health literacy enables individuals in informed and timely decision making. Anxiety particularly during difficult situations may hinders the decision making ability of individuals. The aim of this study was to assess the digital health literacy seeking and its association with anxiety level among university students during the wake of COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan. Methods This study was conducted as a member of COVID digital Health literacy network between 49 countries through an online-based cross-sectional survey. Data were collected with 1747 students from randomly selected four public sector universities in Punjab province of Pakistan. Digital health literacy instrument was used to assess students' skills in digital health information seeking regarding COVID-19. Sense of coherence (SOC) was evaluated through 9-item scale and anxiety was assessed using 9-items Dark Future Scale. Simple bivariate and multivariate linear regression was performed to assess the association of key characteristics with DHL and anxiety level among students. Results The study found that about 54% of the students had high DHL and 51.9% had low or no anxiety. The results of multivariate analysis show that gender (p value=0.005), sense of coherence (p value<0.001) and importance of information (p value<0.001) were significantly associated with DHL. Additionally, Age (p < 0.001), subject group of study (p = 0.03), university of study (p < 0.000) and financial satisfaction (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with anxiety among students. However, there was no significant relationship of DHL, SOC, and wellbeing with anxiety. Conclusions Concerted and focused interventions are needed to address anxiety related issues among university students. Key messages Future research should focus on health literacy environment and its relationship with the broader social, economic, and psychosocial contexts of anxiety among students. Concerted and focused interventions are needed to address anxiety related issues among university students.