scholarly journals The Association between Health Literacy, eHealth Literacy and COVID-19 Coping Behaviors in Chinese College Students: A Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaojie Li ◽  
Guanghui Cui ◽  
Atipatsa Chiwanda Kaminga ◽  
Sixiang Cheng ◽  
Huilan Xu

BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, Internet has spread a lot of information and provided people with knowledge and advice on health protection for COVID-19. However, few studies have focused on the relationship between health literacy, eHealth literacy and COVID-19 coping behaviors. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the association between health literacy, eHealth literacy and COVID-19 coping behaviors in Chinese college students. METHODS The snowball sampling method was adopted to conduct an anonymous online cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Participants completed surveys on health literacy, eHealth literacy, and COVID-19 coping behaviors. Linear regression was used to explore the association between health literacy, eHealth literacy and COVID-19 coping behaviors, whereas factor analysis was used to analyze the factor structure of the COVID19 coping behaviors. RESULTS A total of 1,873 college students aged 18-25 were recruited. 781 (41.7%) had adequate health literacy. The mean eHealth literacy score was 30.2 ±6.3. The results of factor analysis showed that COVID-19 coping behaviors had two dimensions, namely health protection behaviors and adapting behaviors. COVID-19 coping behaviors score differed significantly (P<.05) with respect to residence, grade, major, family economic level, self-reported health status, family member or friend infected with coronavirus, self-reported coronavirus knowledge level and health literacy level. Further, according to linear regression analysis, health literacy (Beta=.19, P<.001) and eHealth literacy (Beta=.39, P<.001) were positively associated with COVID-19 coping behaviors. CONCLUSIONS College students with higher health literacy and eHealth literacy had better COVID-19 coping behaviors. Nevertheless, COVID-19 coping behaviors varied with respect to place of residence, grade, major, family economic level, self-reported health status, family member or friend infected with coronavirus, self-reported coronavirus knowledge level and health literacy level. Therefore, enhancing health literacy and eHealth literacy has, to some extent, helped in reducing the risk of COVID-19 infection among college students in China. Prospective cohort studies at a larger scale are therefore needed to ascertain these findings.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongyu Ren ◽  
Jianhua Cao ◽  
Bing Cao ◽  
Shuang E ◽  
Jujiao Kuang

Abstract Background The association between health literacy and depressive symptoms has been examined among Chinese middle school students, however there is no evidence are available from college students. Aims This study aimed to examined the association between health literacy and depressive symptoms among Chinese college students. Methods This cross-sectional study recruited 2771 college students in Southwest University. Depressive symptoms was assessed using Zung self-rating depression scale and a score of ≥ 50 represented having depressive symptoms. We used Chinese adolescent interactive health literacy questionnaire to assess health literacy. Multivariate logistic regressions analysis was applied to assess the association between health literacy and depressive symptoms. Results The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 34.9% (967/2771). Multivariate logistic regressions analysis showed an inverse association between health literacy and depressive symptoms after adjusting for potential confounders. The multivariate adjusted ORs (95%CIs) for depressive symptoms across quartiles of health literacy level were 1.000 (reference), 0.48 (0.39, 0.60), 0.25 (0.19, 0.32), and 0.16 (0.12, 0.21) (P for trend: <0.001). Similar associations were also found when all 6 health literacy dimensions were analyzed separately. Conclusion The results of this cross-sectional study indicated that higher health literacy level was associated with lower risks of depressive symptoms. Further prospective studies or randomized controlled trials should be conducted to prove the causal association between health literacy and risk of depressive symptoms.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ning Qin ◽  
Shuangjiao Shi ◽  
Guiyue Ma ◽  
Xiao Li ◽  
Yinglong Duan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: In spite of strict regulation of COVID-19 preventative measures and containment in China, there are still confirmed cases sporadically occuring in many cities. College students are at a high risk of being infected, especially with the approach of vacation; thus, identifying the status and related factors of protective behaviors among them after receiving vaccination will be crucial for epidemic control. This study aimed to gather information on the protective behaviors and to identify the associations of COVID-19 risk perception, eHealth literacy and protective behaviors for Chinese college students following vaccinationMethods: A cross-sectional survey of college students who engaged in protective behaviors post vaccination was conducted using the COVID-19 risk perception scale and eHealth literacy scale in one of the groups. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to confirm the correlation between COVID-19 risk perception, eHealth literacy and protective behaviors for Chinese college students.Results: A total of 5641 Chinese college students were included. Male students comprised 59.01% with an average age of (21.39±2.75) years and most students rating their health as very good (44.85%) or pretty good (46.98%). A smaller percentage (13.76%) believed that they would likely or most likely be infected with COVID-19 after getting vaccinated. In addition, more than 1 in 10 (10.35%) college students had ever suspected to suffer from post-vaccination reactions following the COVID-19 vaccination. The mean score of protective behaviors was (26.06±3.97) at the middle level. Approximately one-third (30.42%) of the students always or often did not wear a mask when going out. Some college students (29.25%) did not keep at least 1 meter away from others in social situations. Older female college students who were in good health and perceived as being at a low risk of getting infected with COVID-19 did not expect to engage in post-vaccination protective measures. Those with a higher level of perceived risk, severe risk perception and eHealth literacy and a lower level of unknown risk perception were more likely to engage in further protective behaviors after getting vaccinated.Conclusions: Overall, the level of protective behaviors among Chinese college students following vaccination could use improvement, especially for male, younger college students in poor health. This study revealed the predictive effects of risk perception and eHealth literacy on protective behaviors, recommending that the negative and positive effects of risk perception should be balanced in epidemic risk management, and eHealth literacy promotion should also be emphasized for public health and social measures.


Author(s):  
Jinxin Huang ◽  
Mengyun Zheng ◽  
Guoping Du ◽  
Pingmin Wei ◽  
Xiaobing Shen ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Shuo Cheng ◽  
Di An ◽  
Zhiying Yao ◽  
Jenny Jing-Wen Liu ◽  
Xuan Ning ◽  
...  

This study aimed to explore the association between mental health knowledge level and the prevalence of depressive symptoms among Chinese college students. A cross-sectional study was conducted in six universities in Jinan, Shandong Province, China, and a total of 600 college students were recruited to self-complete a series of questionnaires. The Mental Health Knowledge Questionnaire (MHKQ) was used to investigate the level of mental health knowledge. Depressive symptoms were investigated with the depression subscale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). The prevalence rate of depressive symptoms among college students was 31.2%. Compared with MHKQ scoring in the 1st quartile, college students with MHKQ scoring in the 3rd quartile and in the 4th quartile reported lower levels of depressive symptoms after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Since mental health knowledge level was related to depressive symptoms among college students, increased efforts to promote the level of mental health knowledge in Chinese college students are critical.


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Desalew Tilahun ◽  
Abebe Abera ◽  
Gugsa Nemera

Abstract Background Health literacy plays a prominent role in empowering individuals for prevention as well as management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). However, there is paucity of information on the health literacy of patients with non-communicable diseases in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess communicative health literacy and associated factors in patients with NCDs on follow-up at Jimma Medical Center (JMC), Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from 4 May 2020 to 4 July 2020 with 408 randomly selected adult patients, attending outpatient department of JMC in Ethiopia. The final sample size was obtained by using single population proportion formula. All patients with NCDs who were on follow-up at chronic illness clinic, JMC, were used as a source population. All eligible patients with NCDs who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in this study. A simple random sampling technique was used to recruit study participants. Data were collected through structured interviewer administered questionnaires on the six of nine health literacy domains using Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) containing 30 items, socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics, disease-related factors, and health information sources. Multivariable logistic regression was executed to determine the associations. Result Descriptive analysis shows more than half of the respondents in four of the six health literacy domains had high communicative health literacy level (CHLL). The proportion of people with high CHLL across each of the domains was as follows: health care provider support (56.1%), social support for health (53.7%), active engagement with a healthcare provider (56.1%), and navigating healthcare system (53.4%). We found educational status was significantly associated with five of six health literacy domains whereas number of sources was associated with four of six health literacy domains. Conclusion The overall findings of the current study indicate that health literacy levels vary according to socio-demographic and disease characteristics of patients. Thus, healthcare professionals should assess patients’ health literacy level and tailor information and support to the health literacy skills and personal context of their patients.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 990
Author(s):  
Cuiting Yong ◽  
Hanmei Liu ◽  
Qiping Yang ◽  
Jing Luo ◽  
Yufeng Ouyang ◽  
...  

This study aims to explore the association between restrained eating, body image, and dietary intake among Chinese college students. This cross-sectional study included 1301 college students at two universities in Hunan Province. Electronic questionnaires were used to collect information including students’ demographic characteristics, restrained eating, perception of body weight, body satisfaction, and dietary intake. Anthropometric measurements were collected to calculate body mass index (BMI). The prevalence of high restrained eating was 52.8%. Students who were dissatisfied with their bodies or overestimated their body weight showed a higher tendency toward high restrained eating (p < 0.05). Students with high restrained eating tended to eat fruits and eggs more frequently, while the frequency of eating domestic animals and poultry, sugar-sweetened beverages, and fast food were the opposite. Moreover, high restrained eating was a risk factor for low dietary diversity (odds ratio (OR) = 1.384, 95% confidence interval: 1.002~1.912). The high incidence of restrained eating among Chinese college students and its energy-restricted diets that may lead to possible health implications require attention. Further studies are needed to investigate the characteristics of college students’ restrained eating to tailor appropriate interventions for forming positive body images and promoting healthy eating behaviors, thus, improving dietary quality.


BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. e016489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kjersti Oterhals ◽  
Rune Haaverstad ◽  
Jan Erik Nordrehaug ◽  
Geir Egil Eide ◽  
Tone M Norekvål

ObjectivesTo investigate symptoms and self-reported health of patients conservatively treated for aortic stenosis (AS) and to identify factors associated with treatment decision and patient outcomes.DesignA cross-sectional survey with an 18-month follow-up.SettingOne tertiary university hospital in Western Norway.ParticipantsIn all, 1436 patients were diagnosed with AS between 2000 and 2012, and those 245 still under conservative treatment in 2013 were included in this study.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrimary outcome measures were symptoms and self-reported health status. Secondary outcomes were treatment decision and patient survival after 18 months.ResultsA total of 136 patients with mean (SD) age 79 (12) years, 52% men responded. Among conservatively treated patients 77% were symptomatic. The symptom most frequently experienced was dyspnoea. Symptomatic patients reported worse physical and mental health compared with asymptomatic patients (effect size 1.24 and 0.74, respectively). In addition, symptomatic patients reported significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression compared with asymptomatic patients. However, symptom status did not correlate with haemodynamic severity of AS. After 18 months, 117 (86%) were still alive, 20% had undergone surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) and 7% transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). When adjusting for age, gender, symptomatic status, severity of AS and European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation (EuroSCORE), patients with severe AS had more than sixfold chance of being scheduled for AVR or TAVI compared with those with moderate AS (HR 6.3, 95% CI 1.9 to 21.2, p=0.003). Patients with EuroSCORE ≥11 had less chance for undergoing AVR or TAVI compared with those with EuroSCORE ≤5 (HR 0.06, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.46, p=0.007).ConclusionsSymptoms affected both physical and mental health in conservatively treated patients with AS. Many patients with symptomatic severe AS are not scheduled for surgery, despite the recommendations in current guidelines. The referral practice for AVR is a path for further investigation.


BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. e017865 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neda Khalil Zadeh ◽  
Kirsten Robertson ◽  
James A Green

ObjectivesThe factors determining individuals’ self-reported behavioural responses to direct to consumer advertising of prescription drugs were explored with an emphasis on ‘at-risk’ individuals’ responses.DesignNationally representative cross-sectional survey.SettingCommunity living adults in New Zealand.Participants2057 adults (51% women).Primary outcome measuresSelf-reported behavioural responses to drug advertising (asking a physician for a prescription, asking a physician for more information about an illness, searching the internet for more information regarding an illness and asking a pharmacist for more information about a drug).MethodsMultivariate logistic regressions determined whether participants’ self-reported behavioural responses to drug advertising were predicted by attitudes towards advertising and drug advertising, judgements about safety and effectiveness of advertised drugs, self-reported health status, materialism, online search behaviour as well as demographic variables.ResultsIdentifying as Indian and to a less extent Chinese, Māori and ‘other’ ethnicities were the strongest predictors of one or more self-reported responses (ORs 1.76–5.00, Ps<0.05). Poorer self-reported health status (ORs 0.90–0.94, all Ps<0.05), favourable attitude towards drug advertising (ORs 1.34–1.61, all Ps<0.001) and searching for medical information online (ORs 1.32–2.35, all Ps<0.01) predicted all self-reported behavioural outcomes. Older age (ORs 1.01–1.02, Ps<0.01), less education (OR 0.89, P<0.01), lower income (ORs 0.89–0.91, Ps<0.05) and higher materialism (ORs 1.02–1.03, Ps<0.01) also predicted one or more self-reported responses.ConclusionsTaken together, the findings suggest individuals, especially those who are ‘at-risk’ (ie, with poorer self-reported health status, older, less educated, lower income and ethnic minorities), may be more vulnerable to drug advertising and may make uninformed decisions accordingly. The outcomes raise significant concerns relating to the ethicality of drug advertising and suggest a need for stricter guidelines to ensure that drug advertisements provided by pharmaceutical companies are ethical.


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