Health Literacy of University Students in Covid-19 Pandemic and Infodemic: A Pakistani Perspective

Authors

Rozeen Shaukat, Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization, University of Management and Technology, LahoreFollow
Muhammad Asif Naveed, Department of Information Management, University of Sargodha, Sargodha.Follow

Date of this Version

Winter 2021

Abstract

This research investigated the levels of health literacy among Pakistani university students in the Covid-19 pandemic and infodemic. The university students were surveyed using an online questionnaire at two public sector universities and one private sector university in Punjab-Pakistan. The administration of the data collection instrument was completed with permission from concerned authorities. A total of 374 responses received which were imported to SPSS and analyzed by applying descriptive as well as inferential statistics. The results revealed that the health literacy of university students in the Covid-19 pandemic and infodemic was not at an optimal level as these participants expressed difficulty for half of the items of the health literacy scale. A large majority of these students had health literacy from low to moderate levels. Besides, the students' age, sex, study program, and Covid-19 testing did not appear to predict their health literacy. However, the geographical background of these students predicted their health literacy indicating that urban had students had higher literacy as compared to rural students. The results of this study indicated the need for health education and promotion among the general public in Pakistan especially university students as they serve as a change agent for people around them. The program for health literacy related to Covid-19 would be a great step to respond proactively to the pandemic and infodemic situation. Hoping, these results would be helpful for not only policymakers, healthcare providers, health information professionals especially engaged in health promotion but also for library staff to play their role in the health emergency related to Covid-19. This study would be a worthy contribution to the existing research on health literacy as a limited amount of research appeared from developing countries like Pakistan.