Associations between covid-19-related digital health literacy and online information-seeking behavior among portuguese university students
Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
Authors
We aim to evaluate the associations between digital health literacy (DHL) related to COVID-19 and online information-seeking behavior among university students. Methods: A total of 3.084 students (75.7% women), with an average age of 24.2 (SD = 7.5) participated in this cross-sectional study, most of whom (36.5%) were from social sciences and pursued a bachelor’s degree (50.7%). Data on COVID-19-related DHL and online information-seeking behavior were collected using an online questionnaire. Logistic regression models were performed. Results: As the pandemic progressed, participants showed a lower chance of achieving a sufficient DHL (OR = 0.7; 95% CI = 0.6; 0.9). Using search engines more often (e.g., Google) (OR = 0.7; 95% CI = 0.5; 0.9), Wikipedia (OR = 0.7; 95% CI = 0.6; 0.9) and social media (e.g., Facebook) (OR = 0.7; 95% CI = 0.6; 0.9) decreased the likelihood of achieving sufficient DHL related to COVID-19. More frequent use of websites of public bodies (OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.1; 2.5) increased the odds of reporting sufficient DHL. Conclusion: DHL is associated with university students’ online information-seeking behavior in the time of COVID-19. From a community and public health perspective, programs aiming at improving DHL should be highlighted.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 8987 |
Journal | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | 23 |
Pages (from-to) | 1-11 |
Number of pages | 11 |
ISSN | 1661-7827 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 02.12.2020 |
- COVID-19, Digital health literacy, Information-seeking behavior, University students
- Health sciences