Awareness about COVID-19: Health Literacy Level of LIS Students and Researchers of Universities in Punjab and Chandigarh

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to assess the health literacy level of LIS students and researchers about COVID-19. Design/methodology: The online survey method was used to conduct this study. A questionnaire was designed and used to collect data from the respondents. Findings: The findings of the study show that maximum number of the respondents are aware about the symptoms, spread of virus and preventive measures of COVID-19, understand the basic information and follow the basic instructions provided by medical practitioners. It is found that most of respondents believe that they are getting information from reliable resources and are capable of evaluating the information about COVID-19 but also a significant number of respondents are not sure if they are getting information from reliable resources or not. The Internet, television, social media, government websites, WHO and health websites are the most used resources for getting health information by the respondents. Implications: This study will help to know the awareness and health literacy level of budding LIS professionals i.e. students and researchers about COVID-19 because if the LIS professionals are themselves health literate, then only they can make their families and communities health literate. Limitations of the study: The scope of this study is limited to the BLIS and MLIS students and LIS researchers of Punjabi University, Patiala, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar and Panjab University, Chandigarh. Originality/value: This study is based on the primary data collected from the LIS students and researchers to assess their health literacy level about COVID-19.