HEALTH LITERACY AS A DETERMINANT OF STUDENTS’ PROFESSIONAL SELF-REALIZATION: EXPERIENCE OF THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC

Abstract

Introduction. The article presents the results of diagnosing the health literacy of students of higher education institutions. This research was conducted within the VEGA project of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sports of the Slovak Republic No. 1/0293/21 “Education for Adult Health” (2022–2023) by representatives of the Department of Pedagogy and Andragogy Comenius University in Bratislava with the participation of Ukrainian colleagues.
 The aim of the study is to assess the role of health literacy and analyze the results of empirical research to determine the level of the health literacy among the students at the universities in the Slovak Republic. The scientific innovation involves the determination of potential contribution to the increase of students‘ health literacy level so as to implement the startegies to improve professional self-realization within the high education system.
 Material and methods. The results of students’ diagnosing are described according to the modified European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS_EU_Q47).
 Results. The majority of the respondents is found out to have the sufficient level of the health literacy. It is identified that all respondents understood the need of additional informal training and gaining the skills of education activities. It is explained that the increase of the health literacy level results in gradual shaping of an expert’s professional self-realization: only a person who is mentally healthy and conscious of health and healthy lifestyle issues can be aware of his/her ways for professional improvement.
 Conclusions. The role of digital technologies in improving medical literacy of students is proved. The research results should become the basis for developing and implementing of educational activities to support public health.