Influencing factors of health literacy among college students in a university / 中国职业医学

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the status and influencing factors of the health literacy(HL) of college students in a comprehensive university. METHODS: A total of 3 360 students from in a comprehensive university of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps was selected using multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method. The HL level of college students was investigated and evaluated with self-edited Xinjiang Construction Corps College Students Health Literacy Questionnaire. RESULTS: The HL level of college students was 17.1%. The HL level of medical students was higher than that of non-medical students(35.4% vs 10.0%, P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis results showed that among the medical students in grade three or four, those with medium and excellent academic achievement, and Han nationality had a positive effect on their HL level(P<0.01). Among the non-medical students, female and medicine related optional courses had a positive effect on their HL level(P<0.05). Students in the sophomore year had a negative effect on their HL level(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a big difference in the level of HL between medical students and non-medical students. Medical college students and non-medical college students have different factors affecting HL, medical education is related to improving HL.